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University of Massachusets Athletics
VIDEO: Meet UMass Hockey's #32 Henry Dill
September 08, 2014 | Hockey
We're just 32 days away from UMass hockey's 2014-15 season opener. Meet the Minutemen's new #32, goaltender Henry Dill.
Q: What number are you going to be wearing at UMass and why did you choose that number?
A: "I'm wearing #32 and some people think that's because of Jonathan Quick, which it kind of is, he's one of my favorite goaltenders, but I've always been #32. It's been like that since I was nine years old or so. Last year I had to wear #30 because 32 wasn't an option, but I'm going right back to it this year."
Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?
A: "I'm just a really calm goaltender. I don't like to let my emotions get in the way of me stopping the puck. If I get carried away, or if I get angry or upset about a goal, it doesn't do well for me."
Q: Take us through your hockey background, some of the places you played.
A: "For my whole life I played in Columbus, Ohio, for the Ohio Triple A Blue Jackets and then two years ago I had a stint with the National Development Team for two weekends. Then last year I played in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in the North American Hockey League."
Q: What made you choose UMass?
A: "When Coach Miller first approached me when I played juniors back in South Dakota last year, he was just an awesome guy. He was really upfront with me and his attitude towards the school is what made me want to come here. It just sounded awesome. I loved it."
Q: What did you like about Coach Micheletto and the coaching staff?
A: "Coach Miller and Coach Micheletto were the first guys I talked to on the coaching staff, and they were awesome. Just really upfront and nice guys and I love just chatting with them, just about my day and whatnot. "
Q: Tell us about where you are from.
A: "Columbus, Ohio is a decent size city. I love it there. It has a little bit of everything. It has lots of good food, good shopping and the Blue Jackets, my favorite NHL team. Yeah, it's home for me. I love it."
Q: How is Ohio as a hockey state?
A: "It's growing. My friends have been the first class of college commits. One of my buddies plays major juniors, so we are in the beginning stages and we're getting better and better, and the NHL team is getting better too."
Q: Do you know what you plan on majoring in and what you want to do with that?
A: "Yes, I'm majoring in communications. I'd love to be a part of radio broadcasting, or television broadcasting after hockey is done for me. Whether that be sort of a sports commentator, or I'd love to be a hockey commentator for the Blue Jackets."
Q: Outside of hockey, what would you say is your greatest talent?
A: "I'm a pretty good fisherman. I was thinking about that and I love fishing. I consider myself pretty good at it too."
Q: If you were going to pick an NHL player that you model your game after, who would that be?
A: "Probably Jonathan Quick or Tuukka Rask. I think they are both just amazing athletes and goaltenders and I strive to be like them."
Q: Do you have any game day superstitions or anything like that?
A: "I like to have pasta on game days, and watch Netflix for an hour or two. Then take a two-hour nap then I'm ready to go get dressed and head to the rink."
Q: You played with Jake Horton in Aberdeen, what's it like to come to college with someone you already played with?
A: "It's awesome. Jake was our captain last year and he is an awesome guy. We became really good friends last year and when we found out we were going to be going to school together we were both really excited about it."
Q: Tell UMass fans something most people don't know about Jake.
A: "That's a tough one. He comes across as a serious guy but he's a pretty big goofball about things."