University of Massachusets Athletics
Q&A with Hockey's Jamie Solon
November 17, 2005 | Hockey
Nov. 17, 2005
AMHERST, Mass. -
Q: How did it feel to beat Boston University after the slow start to the season?
A: It felt great to finally get a Hockey East win, especially beating those guys. The fans have been behind us even for the games we lost, so it was nice to give them something to really cheer about . . . and I like hearing them chant "it sucks to B-U."
Q: When did you start playing hockey?
A: I started skating on a rink my Dad made in our backyard when I was three, and then I started playing organized hockey when I was seven or eight, playing "Mites" in a town league, and that's when it really started to take off.
Q: Who was your favorite hockey player when you were growing up?
A: I'd say Ray Bourque, because he was the captain of the Bruins, one of the best defenseman to ever play the game, and he was just exciting to watch, he was just always busting his butt.
Q: Do you try to model your game like his?
A: Yeah, because I was a defenseman and I think all of the coaching my Dad gave me was from what he saw Ray Bourque do on NESN.
Q: What would you consider to be the highlight of your hockey career?
A: Playing in the FleetCenter in the when we lost in the finals to Maine in triple overtime. That was probably the biggest game I played in my life.
Q: Do you follow any special routines?
A: I have lots of those! I like to get up in the morning and eat pretty much the same thing for breakfast everyday. Then I like to stretch, go to class, and then come down to the rink and ride the bike to get my body warmed up, do some more stretching, and then come in for practice. That's pretty much what I do everyday. I also eat cheese every night before I go to bed.
Q: Would you ever like to play a hockey game on the Campus Pond?
A: Yeah, it would be great. If we could get some stands down there, a lot of people would come down.
Q: How much did you miss the NHL last year?
A: Well it stunk not having it, I missed it. But I hadn't watched the NHL in awhile because the game wasn't as exciting, as fun to watch, the way the game was played and the rules. It was more of a clutch and grab game and athleticism wasn't being promoted.
Q: Do you like the rule changes they made?
A: Yeah, and now I think the NHL is headed in the right direction. I get the NHL TV package, and now I watch a game almost every night because it is really fun and entertaining to watch. The guys really get to go out there and play hockey now.
Q: Are there any rule changes you would like to see in college hockey?
A: They should get rid of the full face masks and have half-shields. When you play with full face masks, guys take liberties, you get hit in the head a lot more, sticks are up, and you can't fight. If you have half-shields on, guys are more respectful and they don't just go at your head. I think it would prevent a lot of concussions and it would just make for a better game of hockey.
Q: What is your major?
A: History.
Q: What is the most interesting thing you have learned in a history class?
A: Actually it was something I learned a couple weeks ago about the Minutemen. The way the Puritans raised their kids in New England, they really believed in traumatizing your kids and really punishing them. And because the kids were raised the way they were, they were desensitized to violence a lot more than other people. So when it came time for war, they were actually more "efficient" because they weren't worried about killing. It's actually human instinct to not want to kill the person when you actually aim and shoot. The average human will automatically just shoot above the person's head, or by them, and won't actually try and hit the person. But because the Minutemen had the childhood they had, they were a lot more "efficient" in their minds. That's why we beat the British, so that's why we're here, and why I'm playing for the UMass Minutemen.
Q: During your time at UMass, have you ever had difficulty balancing hockey and classes, and finding free time?
A: You really don't have free time. Everyday it's difficult, it doesn't stop. Everyday you're trying to find time to do the things you gotta do to get you ahead in the classroom and on the ice. It's a constant battle.
Q: What are your plans after college?
A: I have to finish up school, and graduate. [Coach Cahoon passing by]: "He's gonna be a doctor." [JS]: I'm gonna play hockey, and yeah I gotta finish up from school and make sure I graduate.
Q: Where's your favorite place to eat in the Amherst area?
A: I go to Antonio's a lot. I'm also a big fan of The Ground Round.
Q: What's your biggest pet peeve?
A: It's gotta be the interviews. Doing interviews.
Q: Finally, are you addicted to Facebook?
A: No, I'm not, not at all.
