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2006 prospects: Q&A with Simon Danis-Pepin
Written by: Leslie Treff on 06/19/2006 
Hockey’s Future caught up with the lanky University of Maine blueliner early in the NHL Combine this month, just after Danis-Pepin had arrived. He was not yet aware that he would have some of the best fitness testing results among the prospects in attendance.
HF: You were a freshman at the University of Maine this past season. Can you describe what that experience was like for you?
S D-P: I was about to go to juniors for a year before going to college, but at the last minute I decided to go to university right away. It was an incredible experience going to Maine. The guys were great; they took me right in. A lot of the guys are much older than I am and they just accepted me pretty much right away. The fans were great to me too. I just can’t describe how wonderful it was -- a very memorable year.
HF: Will you definitely return in the fall?
S D-P: Definitely, I am going back for at least one year, and frankly I would like to go for as long as possible. If I can finish my degree, that is my preference. Of course, I don’t know what is going to happen with the draft, and what the NHL team would want for me.
HF: As far as playing hockey goes, can you describe what your freshman season was like?
S D-P: College was a big adjustment, having to adapt after playing in Midget AAA the year before. When I jumped right to college play, it was a huge change. The speed of the game, the strength of the guys, and the level of play all were incredibly different compared to what I was used to.
At the beginning of the year, I did not play very much. At Christmastime, I was able to squeeze myself into a spot in the lineup, and that lasted until the end of the year. I was really happy with that, because I was able to step up my game a lot. I tried to work very hard and to get the coaches’ respect for my work ethic. My development is something that I am very proud of, and I am really looking forward to continuing to make gains in my game this coming year.
As a team, we weren’t expected to go to the Frozen Four, and then we showed everyone that we could play well enough to be there. I think we all did a fantastic job, and I am really proud of everything our guys accomplished.
HF: What are your personal hockey goals for next season?
S D-P: Personally? I definitely want to keep up my training, and to be able to help my team more. This past year was more about adapting to the college game. Next year I want to show what I personally can bring to the team.
HF: You sound very anxious to get back to school. When are you going back there?
S D-P: I will be going back next month. For two weeks I will be working with younger kids at a hockey camp. Then I go back to start my fall semester at the end of August.
HF: What does your schedule look like here at the Combine?
S D-P: Interviews, more interviews and then the fitness testing. I have a written schedule that I was given and I will be interviewed by 19 teams while I am here.
HF: Did you do anything in particular to prepare for the interview portion of the Combine?
S D-P: Not really, I already had a meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks while I was still in Maine. I feel like the most important thing during the interviews is to be myself, and I don’t really want to prepare and seem like a robot.
HF: How about for the fitness testing?
S D-P: I have been training hard all year long, working on strength and cardio generally. I worked out three times a week during the season and pretty hard since the season was over.
HF: Anybody specific you had helping you do this?
S D-P: Our trainer Tim really was great working with me. And at the end of the year, he helped me by taking me through the tests I will be doing here a few times.
HF: As part of the interview process, I’ve been told that teams almost always ask the following two questions, so I hope you don’t mind if I ask them now? The first is, in your opinion, what do you see as the greatest strengths of your game?
S D-P: Sure I’ll answer. As I am sure that you can tell right away, my size is a big strength. I am also good at making plays and passes.
HF: What about your weaknesses? Are there things that you feel you are going to have to improve on to make it to the NHL?
S D-P: I am a big guy and I have grown a lot over the last two years; as part of that, I definitely need to work on my foot speed. Also I have been working hard on my one-on-ones. That’s what I want to improve on the most, because I have always concentrated on being an offensive defenseman and now I really want to improve my defense.
HF: Do you have anyone in the NHL that you model your game on?
S D-P: Not really, there is so much talent there defensively, I just try to work really hard and watch all the defensemen in the league. There is no one guy in particular that is my model.
HF: What do you like to do when you are not on the ice?
S D-P: I love being on the beach, on boats. My favorites are Sea-Doos. I have been riding them on my summers off as much as I can.
Copyright 2006 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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