Ask Dan Question & Answer

(An index of subjects covered on the Q & A page of the web site,

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 Index of Subjects page)

Question #109:
Dan: As a kid growing up you always wanna be the best player in the NHL. Now that you have made it as far as you have, can you tell what it's like to line up against Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and Ray Bourque? Personally I would think it would be like "Oh man, what have I gotten myself into?" Also, what are your plans when you get done with hockey? Do you still call West Michigan home in the off season? R.H. MI

Dan Replies:
Dear R.H.: First of all, I'm glad I don't have to line up against all of the guys you mentioned at the same time. Sometimes when I line up against guys like Mario, Steve, and Ray (and others) it hits me where I am and it's so unbelievable, I have to choke off the desire to giggle. Sometimes I AM in awe. I've lined up against and played on a line with guys whose hockey cards I collected when I was a kid.

But I don't wonder "what have I gotten myself into". I know what I've gotten myself into and it's seeing to it that Mario or Steve or Ray doesn't score against me and shutting down their power play.

But back in 1995 when I played my first games in the NHL, I didn't know "what I had gotten myself into". The game went by me in real time while I seemed to play in slow motion. But I went back to the minors and worked all the harder so that if and when I got back to the NHL, I deserved to be there... just like Mario and Stevie Y and Ray.

After my playing career is over (and I hope to play two more seasons before my body gives out), I'd like to coach professional hockey.

Yes, I own a home and live in Grand Haven in the off season.

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