Featured Article
Interviewing T-Rex
Written by: Oliver Janz on 08/27/2002 
Hockey’s Future: Max, how are you and what are you currently doing in the United States?
Max Graupner: Well, I am doing fine. Currently, I am working out just about every day to get ready for the season.
HF: You’ll play another season with Tupelo T-Rex. What are your goals regarding your development for the new season and what can you reach with the team after the poor last season?
MG: My goals are to improve as a better player and get ready for the next level. About the team I am pretty sure that we will have a better team than last year in fact I have no doubt about that we are good for some surprises this season!
HF: As you are playing as an overage player in the Jr.A league it seems that you will attend a North American college in 2003. Is it true and did you receive any calls from college coaches?
MG: I haven"t received a phone call yet in fact I'd rather turn pro after this season.
HF: Back to the last season. It was season between the decision to play for Green Bay, Weiden, Traverse City and Tupelo. Can you tell me a bit about the season and opportunities where you could play?
MG: I was in bad shape for the Green Bay try-out and that's probably the reason why I didn't make the team after that I decided to go to Germany and play another year for the Blue Devils. But I just wasn"t satisfied with my situation and I had two oppotunities to go to and that was Traverse City or the T-Rex in Tupelo. I chose Tupelo because I knew about the league they were playing in and at that time I didn't know much about Traverse City.
HF: After the season is done: would you say it was the best to play for Weiden and Tupelo, or would you prefer to play for Green Bay?
MG: It's always hard to answer such questions but I picked Tupelo that was my decision and I stick with it. Mr. Kidd the head coach of the T-Rex is a great coach and I think I can learn a lot from him and that he'll get me ready for the next step.
HF: Was it only the hockey in North America or also the way of life which makes it interesting to play there?
MG: It's great to live here and play hockey it's been an awesome experience, on the ice and off the ice, and I am really looking forward for new season to start.
HF: Would you advice young German hockey players to play there, too?
MG: If they are really interested in playing pro and maybe even making the NHL then they should play Junior A in North America because that's were all the scouts are looking at plus the practise and the games are much more intense than in Germany. It's really a big difference than playing in Germany
HF: Finally, the most hockey players’ is to play in the NHL sometime. What are your goals for the future and your hockey career?
MG: Like I said earlier i am trying to turn pro maybe even get drafted by a NHL team.
HF: Good luck and thanks for your time.
Information Sheet:
Name: Maximilian Graupner
Nickname: Max
Team: Tupelo T-Rex / AWHL
Born: 7/28/1982
Position: Defender
Shots: Left
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Stats from 2001/2002:
Tupelo T-Rex / AWHL : 19 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PTS, 42 PIM
1.EV Weiden Blue Devils / GER-4: 21 GP, 2 G, 6 A, 8 PTS, 30 PIM (RS)
10 GP, 1 G, 1 PT, 10 PIM (Playoffs)
Photo courtesy of www.bluedevilsfan.de
Copyright 2002 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
HF Quick Navigation
