15 Minutes with Manatee forward Kevin Swider

By Mark Fischel

Swider comes to the Manatees this season after leading the Knoxville Ice Bears in goals (40) and points (80) last season. This effort put him at the top of the ACHL with a tie for third in points and second in goals.

Swider graduated from Ferris State University in 2001, and he still ranks in their all-time record books. He is tied for 16th in all-time scoring with 124 points, and he is 16th in goals with 56 points. In addition, Swider took home the team rookie of the year trophy in the 97-98 season and the top scorer trophy in the 2000-2001 season. Scoring comes naturally for Swider.

Coming off his recent nuptials and the move to Miami, Swider has already acclimated himself to Miami. He is only beginning to scratch the surface of what he wants to do in this town. The Manatees were able to get Swider to sit down for the next installment of �15 Minutes with��

Question: The clock is ticking! First off, welcome to the Miami Manatees. You are one of several collegiate players playing in the WHA2. What was your college experience like for you?

Kevin Swider: Ever since I was a little kid playing hockey, one of my main goals was to get a scholarship to play. I played a couple of years in Omaha in the USHL. After playing there for two years, I wanted to play closer to home.

I grew up watching the CCHA, so my main goal was to be in the CCHA. So I talked to Ferris State and got a full scholarship there. That was one of my dreams fulfilled right there. The four years there was a great experience for me to get schooling done, meet people that I will keep in touch with the rest of my life, and learning to live on my own in that college atmosphere.

Everything about that experience was so different than what I was used to in juniors where the hockey was more open. The CCHA game was more defensive, you have to change your whole mindset going into it, and everything was just a different experience from day one.

Question: After spending two years in the USHL, was it even a consideration to play in the junior leagues in Canada?

Kevin Swider: No, I was definitely looking to get the scholarship. I played one year with the Compuware juniors and could have gone to college after that but I decided that I wasn�t ready at that age coming out of high school.

So taking those two years at Omaha definitely helped me grow as a person, since I was on my own there too. It helped me learn the game a little better before going to college.

Question: What did you major in at Ferris State?

Kevin Swider: Computer Information Systems.

Question: How strong is that an interest of yours? Would it be something to fall back on when you are done with hockey?

Kevin Swider: Pretty much, it is a broad category so anything that has to do with that. I like visual arts and computer graphics, and especially things that have to do with money. I like finance and accounting as well, and anything I can get my hands on doing after I am done playing hockey is fine with me.

Question: What was the high point for you at Ferris State?

Kevin Swider: I think we finished around sixth place all the years I was there, so we were always there in the mix. We were ranked in the top ten each year until we faltered off in the end. We always had potential but not enough depth.

The highlight of my career there was graduating on time, playing four years of hockey and going to school simultaneously. The greatest thing was just the experience and everything that came with it.

Question: What did your coach Bob Daniels do to prepare you for professional hockey?

Kevin Swider: Well, one thing with college is that it is really focused on each individual year. So when I was a Freshman, all we cared about was that year. When I was a Senior, all we cared about was that year.

We all went out and didn�t look forward to next year. It was basically that we went out and did our business. Everything we focused on, the videos and this and that, was all focused on the next day.

Each game was broken down that much, so we didn�t really forward to beyond college except that when we graduated we had a short meeting. If they could help us, they said they will, but it was more focused on being a player at Ferris than on what could be afterwards.

Question: Ferris State had a strong season this year, did you get a chance to follow them at all?

Kevin Swider: They won the CCHA this year, it was great for the organization and the team. They are a building program. The school is building up. The team had the new locker-room installed in my Sophomore year, and it is definitely going to be bring a lot more kids in.

I think with the coaching staff there and all the young players they have right now, they are going to be just as good this year and the next couple of years too.

Question: After graduating college, what was the decision like for you when it came between entering the working world or to keep pursuing hockey?

Kevin Swider: Like I mentioned earlier, one of my goals when I was younger was to get the scholarship. As I started college and went through the seasons, my goal was to play professional hockey, to try it while I was young and had the chance. I didn�t want to look back and say �Wish I would have done that, or wish I would have done that�.

So when I had a few options getting out of college, I figured I would play a year and see how it goes. If it wasn�t for me, it wasn�t for me. But it was a great decision to stick with it. The last couple of years I have had so much fun just doing a lot of things I wish other people my age could do.

Like coming down here to Miami at 25-years-old, nothing holding us back. It has been just great.

Question: So how did you end up getting onto a professional hockey team?

Kevin Swider: It�s a long story. I went to Baton Rouge but they changed owners and got rid of almost everyone. I then went to Rockford to try there and played for about two months and only played in 13 games. Every game I played was just for two shifts, so I wanted to get out of there.

I got traded to Asheville which I considered to be the start of my professional career and I had a great couple of months there (41 points in 32 games). It went really well when I got there, and I loved it there. It was too bad the program folded, since it was a great town and I had a great time there.

Question: So how did you go from Asheville to hooking up with the Knoxville Ice Bears?

Kevin Swider: That is another strange story. (laughs) I was in Shreveport and the doctors wouldn�t pass me on the physical for two weeks. The coach was fighting for me to get cleared for two weeks. But, he said there was nothing he could do, that the doctors wouldn�t clear me.

So basically I was stuck without a team. I called a few places and the Knoxville coach Tony Martino just told me, �Come down and see me tomorrow�. Obviously, I had to take a pay-cut, but it worked out there and I had fun. It is a nice place to go back to one day.

Question: 40 goals, 40 assists in 53 games. It seems like things definitely clicked for you there. What do you think the main reasons were for your being so productive?

Kevin Swider: We had nine forwards and the more ice time I receive, the better I feel and the more I produce. I had a couple of good guys to play with. They did their job well as I did, just going to the net and getting rebounds.

Everything was just wide open with the smaller amount of players, everything seemed to come together. One thing in college for me was that I wasn�t consistent. Last year, I was able to be consistent and produce day in and day out.

Question: Of course you will have the same kind of open play in the WHA2 and with the Manatees, are you looking for the same kind of numbers?

Kevin Swider: I think so. Looking at the guys we have signed, they are a great group of guys so far. I am excited to play with them. Definitely hope for the same results as last year, if not better. Getting the ice time and feeling good about myself and everything around me, I think our team is going to go a long way. Along with that, it should help achieve my goals.

Question: Coach Boyer commented that one of your strengths was your shot and that you can put the puck where you want it to go. What would you consider to be your other strengths?

Kevin Swider: Just getting out of the way of the bigger guys coming after me. I know when a hit is coming, and I will avoid that all costs while still making the play. Just reading and reacting, knowing what is coming before it happens.

That is a big part of the game that some players forget to focus on, and that is something I do really well at.

Question: On the flipside, what are some of the things you want to improve on with your game?

Kevin Swider: Just my overall strength. I have been a smaller guy for my whole life playing hockey and I have dealt with it. But it would be nice to, but it won�t happen over night, improve my overall strength. That�s about it, just being in front of the net and getting the puck, being stronger.

Question: You commented that most of your goals are scored within the circles. Do you see yourself doing the same this year?

Kevin Swider: I don�t know about me having a great shot. All of my goals are right on top of the crease.

Question: You might be too modest, you don�t score 40 goals by not having a great shot.

Kevin Swider: For me it has to do a lot with reading and reacting, knowing where the puck is going to be, crashing the net, getting in there and getting dirty, getting the garbage goals. That is just the player I am, guess the shot is pretty deceiving.

Question: You just find a way?

Kevin Swider: It just happens for me.

Question: So you have been down for a few weeks, just moved down with your brand new wife. You went to Aruba on your honeymoon, was that to get you ready for the Miami living?

Kevin Swider: Oh yeah, I think so! It has been above 90 every single day and we love it. It�s Miami. There are so many things happening and it is just a complete change in lifestyle for us. I think it is going to fit us well.

Question: Big difference from Livonia, Michigan. So like the other guys down here, you have been skating with all of the kids. What has been your impression of the quality of talent down here?

Kevin Swider: I was definitely surprised to see some of the kids we skated with, the eight to ten year olds. They are on the travel team and obviously are the better players in the area. They listen and skate so well, which is something back when I was growing up, a lot of the guys weren�t the greatest skaters. I think a lot of the focus now is on the skating.

Especially when you are young, you pick up those habits that will stay with you for the rest of your life. I was really impressed. They listen well and it is fun to work with them. It should help us and them when we work together for the next few weeks.

Question: What was the reason for your decision to end up in Miami?

Kevin Swider: I didn�t know where to go after last season in Knoxville. Looking at this year, it was �Where am I going to play, what am I going to do?� (My wife) Angie wasn�t with me last year, so this year it was a decision we made together. At first I was thinking about going back to Knoxville, but things were a little bit shaky in that league. I wanted to get my decision done early, get into a town, and spend the time getting ready for the season.

Zac (Boyer) actually called me and the first thing he told me was that he had a spot for me on the team. He told me when I wanted to come down that there would be accommodations. He let me know who else he was thinking about getting to come down. But at that point it didn�t matter to me because I respected him as a player, and now as a coach. So I really didn�t have to think twice or look at other teams before making my decision.

Question: This is a great town, what other things off the ice do you want to get into for leisure�s sake?

Kevin Swider: We definitely want to hit up the casino boats when we put aside some more money in our bank accounts. We like to gamble. We don�t always win, but it is a fun night. We did enough at the beach since we stayed on South Beach for over a week. We are going to stick now to our pool once we get some sun.

Question: You also have gotten a chance to work out at Larry North Fitness as well too, correct?

Kevin Swider: For the last two weeks, it has been great. It is everything we need. The beach is right there after you are done working out. You have the facility indoors and outdoors, the two pools you can swim in that overlook the water. Just to be part of that right there and also being able to work out with (Miami Manatees Trainer) Danielle Henry�s friends is really helping me get ready for the season. Once the ice gets in as well, we will start skating every day as well in preparation for the season.

Question: Obviously the goal every year is to win a championship, but have you thought about any personal goals for this year? Have you had a chance to sit down with Zac and discuss this season�s goals yet?

Kevin Swider: Not really, I guess I don�t set personal goals until it is into the season and you get a more clear picture of what is going on. Right now everyone is coming into the season thinking it is a team thing and you want the team to succeed.

I want to see every team in the league and go from there. But I don�t think there is any reason why we can�t go out and be on top.

Question: What do you think the fans should expect this season from yourself, and what should they expect from Manatees Hockey?

Kevin Swider: I think Zac recruited the guys that he knows are going to work hard and come to play. We are going to have our fun off the ice and after game time, but I think we will put on a great show. We are a bunch of hardworking guys all fighting for the same thing, which is ultimately a championship.

With Zac being the player he was and knowing the game so well, he knows what he is bringing to the table by bringing all these guys together. That is what I am excited for, just getting all these guys here and getting started.

Time�s Up!

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