Q&A with Paul Flache

Defenseman Paul Flache is playing his second year of pro hockey, currently with the ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators. Originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in 2000, he was redrafted by Atlanta in 2002 in the fifth round. The 6’6” 225-pound blueliner played his rookie season with Thrashers ECHL affiliate Greenville Grrrowl, though his season was hampered by a bad case of tonsilitis. He played only 46 games in 2002-03.

 

In 50 games this season with the Gladiators, Flache has 11 points and 67 PIMs. More importantly, he’s second among defensemen in plus/minus at +9, trailing only his partner Jim Jackson. He was called up to the Chicago Wolves earlier this month and played in one game.

 

Flache spoke to Hockey’s Future following practice on Tuesday.

 

HF: You recently got back from Chicago [AHL], how do you think that went for you?

PF: It went really well for me I thought. It was my first game. It was short notice so I got there like 4:30 and went straight to the rink. I didn’t really have much time to think about it, just went out and keep my game simple and play as physical as I could. The coaching staff thought I played really good, and that’s what matters, so hopefully I left a positive impression with them and who knows what will happen down the road.

 

HF: You said it was short notice, what time did you find out you were going?

PF: We had just finished skating pretty hard, it was an optional skate. At 12:30 Jeff came and told me I was on a 2:30 flight, so I grabbed my stuff, ran home quickly and grabbed my suit and hopped on the plane.

 

HF: How do you think your season is going overall?

PF: I think it’s going pretty good. I started off a little slow, sometimes I tend to do that. I don’t know why, but even since junior. Once playoff fever starts hitting like around January, I start getting real excited for the playoffs and that’s my favorite time of year. Other than that it’s going pretty good, I’ve learned a lot defensively, which is really what I wanted to work on. I’m starting to play better with my gaps, I’m able to stand up guys a little more, so from a defensive point I’m happy and I’m started to play a little more offensive now that my D is coming along.

 

HF: [Coach] Jeff [Pyle] said you’re getting more ice time this year and that’s making a difference. Would you agree with that?

PF: Well, last year you know I was sick and when you’re sick you have a setback, I lost a lot of weight so I didn’t have my strength. Then I got hurt again. Last year was a tough year. I finished off strong and I wanted to start off strong this year. I thought I had a pretty good camp in Atlanta and in Chicago, and they were happy, but again I’m just trying to work on my defense and the ice time here definitely helps. I’m being put in all kinds of different situations, it’s great.

 

HF: Did Atlanta tell you anything in particular at camp to work on?

PF: Well, it’s the same with every big guy. Bob Hartley wanted me to play with a little more of an edge, be a little nastier, but smart. There’s a fine line, but down here it’s a little bit different in the ECHL, you can give a guy a cross check and sometimes the ref doesn’t even see it and you’re in trouble. When I went to Chicago I used my stick more, I was able to crosscheck guys more in front of the net and get away with it. The ref just says good battle there guys, you get away with a lot more. So, that’s what [Hartley] said, try to stand up guys more, and be a little meaner.

 

HF: How has Coach Pyle asked you to play?

PF: I’m a big guy so he wants me to play tough, open up some room for our guys. The systems are a little different, not the same as I played last year or in junior. It’s helped me, I’m allowed to stand guys up more I have more hits this year, almost like in junior because when I see a guy coming towards me I’m allowed to go. He wants us to jump that guy, even if you get beat. When you’re given that opportunity, and you know when you screw up someone is going to cover for you, that really helps.

 

HF: How would you say you’ve changed as a player from junior up to now?

PF: I’ve changed quite a bit. I used to press a little bit more, was more offensive in junior and played a little more power play, I haven’t played much this year. I liked to push a little more back then. I didn’t know much about my systems defensively, and my first two years I’ve really learned a lot about defense, where to be and what my job is. I’ve taken a D-first attitude and it’s really helped my game.

 

HF: You still seem like you like to carry the puck more than most guys your size.

PF: Yeah, I do. I thought I was better at it in junior and sometimes I got away from it last year because I was sick and trying to play defensive. You don’t have the same legs or the same confidence. That kind of hurt me. Sometimes I push a little too much and have gotten caught, and Jeff’s told me to lay back, but he doesn’t mind me jumping up. And John Anderson doesn’t mind it, he liked that too, he just wanted to teach me when to and when not to. I’m in the learning process, it’s a good opportunity.

 

HF: A guy like you carrying the puck like you do is going to catch people by surprise.

PF: Yeah, exactly [laughs]. I’m 6’6” and I’m skating the puck up the ice. I did it in junior and caught guys by surprise then too. I think it’s because I used to be a forward my whole life. I used to get the puck and be able to handle it. Sometimes back there you don’t feel like you’re contributing enough, you’re just standing there on the point waiting for a puck and when you don’t get it, sometimes you push. There’s a right time and a wrong time, so I’m trying to work on that.

 

HF: How did it happen that you were moved to defense when you were you young?

PF: I’m trying to think back now. In bantam I was always a forward and then I got tried on defense, played for about a month and then hurt my shoulder. I went back and played forward and next year played provincial junior back home as a defenseman. I ended up getting drafted as a defenseman so I stayed there. I really only had one year of defense before the OHL, so I was pretty raw at the position. I’m still kind of raw now, still learning a lot of things. It’s a different game. Once I get going I’m better at stopping, starting, so I’m working on that part of my game, foot speed. But I’m really enjoying the game and learning a lot more, so it’s great.

 

HF: Scotty Bowman has said you have to be a lot smarter person to play defense.

PF: I think forward is harder condition-wise because you’re always moving. For a defenseman it’s harder positionally because you’ve always got guys picking you, especially in Chicago and camp in Atlanta. It was a big eye-opener my first camp in Edmonton when I was drafted by them, Doug Weight setting picks, everyone setting picks all over the place. You really have to know who you’re taking, where to go, where to be, it was tough, especially when you’re young. That’s why it takes longer for defensemen to develop.

 

HF: Do you have a defensive mantra, something you tell yourself over and over in your head to keep yourself on the right track?

PF: During games and before games I try to visualize myself making a good first pass. I keep telling myself to keep my feet moving, because if I’m not, I’m not going to be a factor at all. Especially the one game I played in Chicago, that was a real eye-opener with the speed and I was able to keep my feet moving. I kept telling myself that over and over again. And just take the body. I find that if I’m playing physical, I’ll have a good game. Everything seems to fall around that, so that’s what I try and tell myself.

 

HF: You’ve been paired with Jim Jackson most of the year. Can you talk about how you two work together?

PF: Well, it’s pretty easy, Jimmy’s a great skater and a really good player. We’ve been getting the top lines, so we take pride in trying to shut down the top lines. We have a great relationship even off the ice. We don’t see each other all the time, but we get along really well which helps. The whole team is really close. With his skating, he likes to jump up, and a lot of times I stay back. We talk a lot, and that’s about it.

 

HF: Do you miss playing with your [twin] brother [Peter]?

PF: Yeah, it’s different, I played with him my whole life up until junior. We actually played forward together. We have like that sixth sense type thing, where we can see each other on the ice. It was harder when you’re a forward and defenseman last year, but I thought my game picked up when he was around. I miss playing against him too, we played him twice this year and we had some good battles. But he’s doing really well [in Toledo] so it’s good for him.

 

HF: What is the most satisfying part of playing hockey for you?

PF: Playing the game that I love for my living right now, I feel blessed. It’s really exciting and I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s my favorite thing to do and I’m doing it as a living, which is great. As far as games, I’m the type of guy that as long as we win, I’m happy. I look at my plus/minus quite a bit now because I want to help the team that way. If I’m -2 or -3 in a game, I’ll have a tough time at night. Except if we win, then I’ll be happy. But as long as I’m physical, have a couple good hits or something, stay plus and find a way to help the team win, then I’m happy. Make a big shot block to save the game or something like that. Usually I’m happy anyway, I’m fortunate to be where I am and how our team’s doing so I can’t complain.

 

HF: What are your personal goals for this season and next?

PF: For this season, the beginning of the year was just to pick my game up. To play the way Atlanta wants me to, and make sure they’re happy with what I’m doing. Stop looking at points like I did in junior because I thought that was important. I just wanted to play solid defense and help out wherever I could. Better my game and get my game ready to hopefully step up next year. I wanted one game, just to say that I’d played one and to get ready so I know what to expect, and I’ve played the one game and who knows what will happen, with injuries you never know. Basically just get ready for the next year, because next year I want to start off playing in Chicago and hopefully work my way up and be a factor on the team. Whatever happens after that, happens.