This is the transcript of the chat that Alexandre took part in on October 20, 1998 for Slam Sports. I put his answers in red in order to make it easier to read.
Moderator: Welcome to the chat room! If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Thanks.
Terry in Gatineau: Alex, I've always been a fan of yours since you were drafted. (Believe me I took some - OK alot - of heat from my buddies here in Ottawa for defending you). I think you have all the tools for the NHL, particularly speed which is so emphasized today. But you were thrown to the wolves by the Sens --- too much pressure, too young, too many expectation for superstar performances with absolutely no supporting talent. Given your experience, do you think the draft age or the entry age into the NHL should be raised from 18 to 20? Would that have helped you? Looking forward to seeing you in the NYR lineup.
Alexandre Daigle: Good Question. I think that maybe everyone should go to college. If they made it mandatory it would be a good idea. They should raise the draft age to 22.
Zamboni Queen: how do you like Hartford? how did you feel when the Rangers picked you up?
Alexandre Daigle: I felt really good. The Rangers are the premier organization in the league. Everyone would be happy to be traded to the Rangers.
Patrick Nepean, Ontario: Alexandre As a fan of yourself, I support your recent efforts to prove you can play at the NHL level. Would you ever consider playing for the Ottawa Senators again?
Alexandre Daigle: I don't think so. I think it was time to move on when I got traded. I was lucky to get traded to the Flyers. It just didn't work out with the Flyers.
George: Hey Alexandre, I have heard you are interested in acting, is that true?
Alexandre Daigle: No. It is just people asking me whether I like movies and I said yes. Playing hockey is a good job.
Anonymous: Alexandre, you have obviously experience some early success with the Wolf Pack, of the AHL. What do you attibrute that to, and do you now feel like perhaps you should have started to build your carreer here instead of the NHL. Are you statisfied with your present postion or do you feel like this is building or stepping stone that may have missed prior to entering the NHL.
Alexandre Daigle: I think we have a good power play with guys like Derek Armstrong. Things are a bit slower in the AHL.
Sarah: Hi Alexandre! Are you enjoying playing in the AHL, and how is it different from playing in the NHL?
Alexandre Daigle: Speed of the game. The schedule is different. We only play on the weekends. Amd we don't play in the same cities.
Mickey: Alexandre, Who was your favourite player growing up?
Alexandre Daigle: Mario Lemieux. He was french. He was from a town fifteen minutes away. He was the top player in the NHL.
James: What sort of offseason training did you do?
Alexandre Daigle: This year I trained with Anson Carter of the Boston Bruins. We did some weight trtaining and three stop training. I did not train harder but better. I had one of my best training camps.
Heather: Do you have any pregame rituals that you do?
Alexandre Daigle: Not really. Basically just the same every game. I take a nap in the afternoon before the game.
E. Puck: Sorry to see you leave the Lightning. I had predicted great things for you this season. Now that you're property of the Sewer Rats "Rangers" I'm sure you'll get called up and smoke the Bolts sorry butts!!!! Was there some kind of animosity between you and Steve Ludzik that caused him to let you go?
Alexandre Daigle: Not really I never talked to him during camp.
Cara: Alex, has there been any talk between you and the Ranger's general manager, Neil Smith, about playing for the New York Rangers anytime in the near future?
Alexandre Daigle: No. The only talk I have had with him was when I got traded. He told me to go to Hartford and play hard.
Stew in Calgary: I watched you as a junior when you played against Czechoslovakia during the World Junior Championships in Calgary a few years back. Your speed was exciting to watch. What is your opinion of 4 on 4 overtime hockey, and future rule changes that would increase the speed of the game.
Alexandre Daigle: It's great. It's good for the skilled players. It's good for the fans as they will have less defensive play in overtime. Hopefully the goals will go up.
Kevin Doyle: How long have you played hockey in general?
Alexandre Daigle: 8. The kids at school got me into playing.
Scott Dean: What NHL player has been your toughest opponent and why?
Alexandre Daigle: Hasek. He's tough in every way.
KM: what is your favorite movie?
Alexandre Daigle: Forrest Gump. It was good. Usual Suspects. They were both good.
Marissa Gynn : Alex, what are your plans for the future; hockey and life in general?
Alexandre Daigle: I want to get back to the NHL and play for another 10 years. I have a lot of options but I want to focus on hockey right now.
Jo: What would you say is the greatest moment in your career?
Alexandre Daigle: My two world championships where we won the gold medal. As well my first hockey game in Quebec. My draft day was special as was gettingt traded to the Rangers.
Peter: Do you think you can return the dominance you had in junior? Do you have any regrets
Alexandre Daigle: Yes I really do believe thats where I can play. I know I can score.
Moderator: And we'd like to thank Alexandre for being with us tonight. Stay tuned for next week's AHL Ice Age chat, brought to you by SLAM! Sports. Thanks again.
Alexandre Daigle: I'd like to thank all of the fans for taking the time out to ask questions and your continued support on my career.
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