Tony Burrows Interview with former Grizz and current Holy Cross star Matt Ginn

Tony Burrows interview with Matt Ginn:
OUR GRIZZLIES GOALTENDER LAST YEAR WAS MATT GINN. HE IS NOW PLAYING WITH HOLY CROSS IN LINDSAY ONTARIO IN THE ATLANTIC HOCKEY ASSOCIATION. MATT KINDLY AGREED TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS FOR ME IN A LITTLE INTERVIEW.

TONY- What do you find to be the biggest difference in playing at the BCHL level and then moving on to the AHA College Hockey level? I see that your save percentage this year is .901 Which is still just about what you were doing with the Grizzlies!              

MATT- I think the biggest difference from the BCHL to the NCAA is the size and strength of the guys and the speed is quicker too so it took a bit of an adjustment period at first.

TONY-With practices, games, gym, team activities, how many hours a week would be hockey related?                                 

MATT--It's tough to say how many hours a week are hockey related, but we have lifts, practises and games plus just time spent with the guys away from the rink .

TONY-Do you find it hard keeping up the academic work as well as your hockey?

MATT--It took a little getting used to with the school work, but you kind of get used to it so it's just important to stay on top of the work.


TONY-- Does your hockey schedule conflict with your academic schedule? How is it arranged for when you are away at games?                                                 

MATT- The professors are good with the schedules with games and when we have to travel so that's not a problem really at all.

TONY-Do University hockey teams bond and party together and play together and have the closeness of a BCHL team?

MATT-We are really close as a team which is good, have a great bunch of guys.

TONY--Where do you live? Are you by yourself or do you have a roomie?  

MATT-- I live in a residence with a roommate from my team.

TONY--How many fans does College hockey draw to a game?                     

MATT--It depends on where the game is played and who is playing, but some teams like Wisconsin and North Dakota get over 10,000 fans at games.

TONY--How do Collegiate teams travel? Bus or air?                                           

MATT--For the most part college teams take buses, unless you're playing across the country where you fly. We flew on one trip this year.


TONY-- Can the fans interact with, and get to know the players as they can in the BCHL?                                                      

MATT--The fans do interact with the guys on the team, I like getting to know the fans.

TONY---Is the team expected to do some PR work and go out in the community to functions to advertise the games and fund-raise for charity?                                      

MATT-- We do some community involved activities and school activities.

TONY---Are you finding the time management required stressful or are you taking it in your stride?                       

MATT--. I think it just takes a little bit of getting used to figuring out your time management but once you get going I don't find it too tough.

TONY--What would you say has been the thing that has impressed you the most, either in hockey or just at the University since you started at Holy Cross?                          

MATT--The thing that has impressed me the most has been the following from the students at the school that come cheer us on at our games and are really supportive.

TONY--Are you still keeping in touch with some of the guys you played with on the Grizzlies team?                                     

MATT-- I keep in touch with a bunch of the guys from the Grizzlies last year, it was a great year and I miss those guys.

TONY--Are there any special memories that you have from when you played for the Grizzlies last year?                                     

MATT--I think the whole year was an awesome experience, we had a great group of guys both on and off the ice and it's too bad we came up a little short it's still tough to take that one.

TONY--What are you majoring in?

MATT-- I haven't declared a major yet.

TONY--Have you got any plans yet for when you graduate?                               

MATT--I'm hoping to play hockey professionally somewhere.

TONY--- If you could work anywhere after graduation where would you like to work if you do not continue on with hockey as a career?                                            

 MATT--if I didn't play hockey as a career I'd still like to be involved in the game somehow whether as a coach, or manager or something along those lines.

TONY---Do you have any burning desire to do any traveling (Thailand , Asia, Australia. Arabia or???) after you graduate or during Summer break?                                     

MATT--I'm not really a big traveller.

Holy Cross University

TONY--Which NHL team do you cheer for?                                                       

MATT-- I cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

TONY---Do you try to model yourself after any particular NHL goalie?                                  

MATT--I wouldn't say I model my game after a certain NHL goalie, but my favourite one is Carey Price.

TONY-- After graduation are you hoping to get picked up by the NHL and continue with hockey or would you rather pursue your career in “civvie” life with the degree that you earn?                 

MATT-- It's obviously my dream to play in the NHL, but I'm hoping that I can play hockey professionally when I'm done school.