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Q&A with Andreas Holmqvist
Written by: Holly Gunning on 03/13/2004 
In 50 games with the ECHL Pensacola Ice Pilots this year, Holmqvist has three goals and 25 assists and is +4. He has also played four games at the AHL level with Hamilton in which he was scoreless.
Hockey’s Future spoke with Holmqvist following Pensacola’s 4-1 loss to division rival Gwinnett on Friday.
HF: You didn’t really expect to be in Pensacola this season, but how do you think it has worked out for you?
AH: I think it worked out good. It’s hard for me and I think European players overall to adjust to the game over here. I think it’s been a very good experience for me learning the hockey.
HF: Are you playing the way that you want to play with this team?
AH: Yeah, I’m learning defensively here. I still want to play offensive, but you have to be as good defensively as offensively.
HF: What specifically has been tough with the adjustment to North America?
AH: You don’t have as much time with the puck. That’s been the biggest adjustment. The ice surface back home is so big and it’s smaller here.
HF: What do you think you’re doing well this year?
AH: I don’t know, I’m trying to have fun. Learning to play this game over here and bulk up a little bit for next season and just go from there.
HF: Are there particular aspects of your game that you think you need to work on?
AH: It’s just defense. I talk to Tampa about everything and they want me to work on defense and I do that here and it works out good.
HF: How would you describe your game to those who haven’t seen you play?
AH: Typical European I would say. I’m a good skater, very good stickhandling and use my head pretty often.
HF: Tonight you played mostly with (Jeremy) Van Hoof, is he your usual defensive partner?
AH: Yeah, I’ve played with him all season and it’s working out very good. When you’ve been playing with one guy all the time you know him after a while. We’re working good together.
HF: What makes it a good combination?
AH: He’s very good defensively. He’s even good offensively. As long as you talk out there, you help each other, that’s the way the combination is good.
HF: You play on the power play, do you ever play on the penalty kill as well?
AH: Not that much. I’m having fun playing on the power play. Of course I would like to play the penalty kill, but it doesn’t matter as long as the guys work hard out there and kill it off.
HF: How has it been living in the US, has that part been a big adjustment?
AH: No, it’s nice. Florida is really nice compared to home. I mean Sweden is nice too, but it’s cold at this time of year.
HF: Does your family like it here?
AH: Yeah, very much. Of course you get homesick sometimes when you miss the food and friends, but you make new friends and that’s what you have to do to be a hockey player.
HF: What else do you want to accomplish this season, for yourself and your team?
AH: We’ve been playing good. Hopefully we’re going to get to the playoffs and win a trophy there. That would be really really nice.
HF: And what do you want to accomplish next season?
AH: First of all work hard in the summer and come to the camp prepared. Hopefully it’s not going to be in a lockout. Bulk up and come prepared.
HF: How much weight to you hope to gain?
AH: Probably five kilos. I’m at 90 right now.
HF: I don’t know how much that is in pounds.
AH: I don’t know either (laughs). About 200 I think.
Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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