Chatting with Sheldon Souray: Transcript

Earlier today, the Anaheim Ducks hosted a live chat on their website with newly acquired defenseman Sheldon Souray in which fans were able to ask the blue line veteran various questions. The team also collected questions from an #AskSheldon Twitter hashtag. Souray spent some time answering selected questions covering a wide range of topics, including his new team and teammates, his personal life, and more.

For those of you who weren’t able to follow the conversation live, here is a quick transcript from the chat session:

"12:01  Hey, everybody. Ready to get this started. Send my your questions. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:01 12:01  [Comment From nathan bush nathan bush : ]why did you choose the ducks organization Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:01 nathan bush 12:03  One of the reasons was that they are really close to being back to a playoff team. They’re closer than people give them credit for. Another reason was that I know a couple guys on the team, Saku being one of them, and I know his commitment to winning a Stanley Cup. I talked to him before free agency began about the Ducks and what went wrong last year. I felt that I could probably come in and help out, be a piece of the puzzle moving forward and get this team over the hump. Third reason, is I’m close to my family over here. My young daughters are here and I can be a part of their lives on a more consistent basis. All of that is important to me. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:03 12:03  [Comment From Aniqa Aniqa : ]Who was your favorite NHL player when you were a kid? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:03 Aniqa 12:05  I had two. Scott Stevens and Chris Chelios were two players I wanted to be like. I grew up in Edmonton and loved Wayne Gretzky, but I was pretty sure I was never going to do what he had done. I was fortunate to play with Scotty in New Jersey when I started. There really is no better teacher than that. I’ve been able to become good friends with Chris and I train with him in the summers. It’s funny how the hard work has paid off in other areas, to be able to meet and become friends with guys you looked up to as a kid. That’s pretty awesome. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:05 12:05 Neue Argot @NeueArgotdid you feel the earthquake? #AskSheldon 12:06  I actually didn’t. I must have been training too hard. I thought it was just me putting the weights back on the floor. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:06 12:07  [Comment From Philip Macias Philip Macias : ]Which Ducks defenseman would you like to pair with the most? Why? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:07 Philip Macias 12:08  I’m familiar with playing against the guys. I played with Beauchemin a little bit in Montreal. The young guys are really good, but it’s not up to me to decide that. The coaching staff will make that decision based on what’s best for the team. We’ve got a good mix of young guys and older guys here. Wherever they see me playing, I’ll be happy to be part of the group. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:08 12:08 Lulu @rollingduxWhat do you think it will take for the Ducks to get back into playoff contention? #AskSheldon 12:10  The first thing is just a better start. I know the past couple years, the teams that have the most success get off to good starts and maintain that consistency. It’s important we come in this year and get off to a good start. There are some new faces on the team, and I know the guys coming back are hungry to get back into the playoffs. As we’ve seen with LA, just get in the playoffs and you can win it all. It’s just about starting strong and moving forward. It’s a tough league and teams are getting better every year. It’s a matter of us coming together early and maintaining that consistency. You have peaks and valleys, but you’ve got to make sure those valleys are short-lived. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:10 12:10  [Comment From Cindy Lightballoon Cindy Lightballoon : ]Physically, how are you feeling? Any lingering injuries? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:10 Cindy Lightballoon 12:12  I feel great. I’ve been training hard this summer. It’s been exciting for me to come back. It’s been a long summer, which is normally pretty cool for people. They don’t want to hear us complaining about that. But you take some time off, let your body heal and get in the right frame of mind and get ready for the season. Over the next month, we’ll be ramping up the intensity quite a bit and I’m looking forward to getting out there. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:12 12:12  [Comment From Sam Jones Sam Jones : ]What other sports are you interested in? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:12 Sam Jones 12:14  I do some mountain biking, and I like doing that. I like to play some golf. As far as watching sports, I like watching golf on the weekends. The Olympics this year is something I’ve gotten into, which I really haven’t in the past. I find myself not being able to get away from watching hockey when it’s the Finals or something like that. I like watching sporting events when it means something or there’s something on the line. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:14 12:14 Garrett NicholsClark @GarrettOnParadeWhich player are you most excited to play with? #AskSheldon 12:16  That’s a tough question because I’m excited to get back and play with Saku. I played with him for 7 years in Montreal, and I’m a huge fan of his. His story is pretty well-documented and he’s been an inspiration to so many people. I’m looking forward to getting back and playing with him. I’m also looking forward to getting on the other side and not having to defend Perry and Getzlaf. That will be a nice change. My arms were getting tired of cross-checking Perry every game. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:16 12:16  [Comment From Guest Guest : ]up till this point what has been the highlight of your hockey career? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:16 Guest 12:17  One of the highlights has been when Saku came back and played his first game after missing most of the season when he was diagnosed with cancer. That was pretty emotional and that sticks out for me, as just being a “wow” moment, not just for a career but for a life. Just to be a part of that and to see what he’s done since then, that’s pretty amazing. That night emotionally really sticks out in my mind. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:17 12:19  Slight delay, folks, as Sheldon has momentarily lost connection.  Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:19 12:22  [Comment From Aniqa Aniqa : ]how did you and WWE Diva Kelly Kelly meet? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:22 Aniqa 12:23  I met her through a mutual friend and we kind of kept in contact and that was it. We’ve been together about a year and a half. One thing we’ve been lucky to do as athletes is meet a lot of people — other athletes, celebrities, actors. You get to meet so many different people from so many walks of life. Some you like, some you don’t. I like her a lot more than other people. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:23 12:23  [Comment From Munni Munni : ]Have you had a chance to chat with Bruce Boudreau after you signed with the Ducks? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:23 Munni 12:24  Yeah, I have. It was a pretty casual talk. He just welcomed me to the group, and he was real nice and classy. We didn’t get too in depth. He pretty much just told me a little bit about him and his philosophies. I told him about what I had seen about the team, my take on things. That was about it for now. I’m looking forward to playing for him. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:24 12:25  We have time for a few more questions for Sheldon…  Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:25 12:26  [Comment From William J William J : ]What have you been doing this off-season other than working out? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:26 William J 12:27  I’ve been playing a little bit of golf, traveled a little bit at the beginning of summer. I’ve been around here in Southern California just training and getting organized for next season. When you’re living in Southern California, there are not a whole lot of other places you want to go to. I’ve been spending time with the family and enjoying the summer. I’m excited I don’t have to pick up in the next couple of weeks and go somewhere else. It’s been a settling summer for me. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:27 12:27  [Comment From Juian Juian : ]Whats your favorite movie? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:27 Juian 12:29  I like Fight Club, Tombstone, Dumb & Dumber. That shows you a range. I’m liking HBO series like Boardwalk Empire, Entourage and some of those. I really like Breaking Bad. I’ve been getting into those a lot more lately. I don’t watch a lot of TV during the season, more so on flights and road trips when you have time to kill. During the offseason, I’m mostly on the beach or bike riding, where TV is your last option. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:29 12:30  [Comment From Kalvis Kalvis : ]What kind of music do you like to listen to? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:30 Kalvis 12:31  I love country music. I love Pearl Jam. They’re probably my favorite band. I’ll listen to a little bit of everything. Rock, top 40. I’ll listen to whatever sounds good. When I was raised, my house was around country a lot. I love it and I’ve got a couple friends in it. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:31 12:31  [Comment From Alex Alex : ]Which Pacific Division team do you think will be the biggest challenge for the Ducks this year? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:31 Alex 12:33  I think the Kings are probably feeling pretty good right now after last season, and they will have a lot of confidence. The Sharks have had a lot of expectations and pressure the last couple of years, and they will probably want to come out and match those expectations. I’d like to think that we’re going to be tough. We’re going to be the team standing in our division. I think we’ve got a bunch of hungry guys, we’re well-coached. I’d like to think we’re going to be the team that’s going to meet and surpass expectations this year. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:33 12:33  [Comment From Dustin Dustin : ]What was the most memorable goal of your career? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:33 Dustin 12:34  It was probably my first one. I was in Jersey and we were playing the Rangers at home. With about 5 minutes left in a tie game, I shot from the point and it ended up being the game-winner. It was significant because of the rivalry, but you always remember your first one. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:34 12:34  [Comment From Peter Peter : ]What’s your favorite arena to play in? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:34 Peter 12:35  I like playing in Staples Center, especially over the past couple of years. It’s become alive and electric. Overall, I’d have to say Madison Square Garden or Montreal. They have the best atmosphere routinely. You’re going to find that atmosphere in Canada and it gets crazy. But Madison Square Garden is on a completely different level. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:35 12:36  [Comment From Kalvis Kalvis : ]If you would play in any other position, what would it be? LW,RW,C or G? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:36 Kalvis 12:37  It certainly wouldn’t be goalie. I would play anything but goal. I played forward for about two years when I was younger, like 10 or 11 years old, but it’s way too much skating. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:37 12:37  [Comment From Lulu Lulu : ]Got any superstitions or specific pre-game rituals? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:37 Lulu 12:38  Not really any superstitions, but more like habits and routine. I like my gameday to be pretty structured, but I don’t have superstitions because if things go right or wrong, you’re relying on that. My routines are eating at the same time, eating the same thing — chicken and pasta — getting a nap in at around the same time, just pretty much keeping it structured. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:38 12:39  Time for one last question…  Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:39 12:40  [Comment From Justin Kim Justin Kim : ]If you had any words of wisdom to impart on the Ducks youngsters, what would it be? Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:40 Justin Kim 12:42  Pretty much just that every season is an opportunity to achieve something great. For me, not having had the opportunity to win the Cup yet, there is not much I can say. It’s all about leading by example this year and from now on. No one is more important than the next guy, but time flies and as you get older, you see guys lifting the Cup and you wish it was you. Your opportunities get shorter every year that passes by. The most important thing for me is going out and trying to lead that way. Wednesday August 8, 2012 12:42 12:42  Thank you, everybody. That was a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing all the Ducks fans this fall!"

Were your questions answered? If not, what would you have liked to ask Souray? Judging by this chat, Souray seems like a great guy to have in the locker. Let’s hope he’s also a great guy to have on the ice this year.

Jer is ready to see the Souray defending home ice at the Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JerMeansWell.