20 Questions With Pate

1 - How long have you been in DWSHL?
I started right in the middle of Free Agency before the 2003 season.

2 - What do you feel are your team's strengths?
Just overall balance of my team, good mix of youth and veterans. Up the middle is an obvious strong point with Yashin, one of the leagues leading scorings, Peca - the leagues best defensive forward, and Spezza, the leagues best young center. I think my blueline is really strong. But all in all I think the future and optimism for my club is the strong point.

3 - What do you feel are your team's weaknesses?
Goaltending hasn't been where I've wanted it. Patrick isn't playing up to par I don't think. I think, however, my teams biggest weakness is me. I some times make moves when I shouldn't - and I think i'm getting better at standing pat a bit like Ommen and Umbi and waiting for the right deal.

4 - Where do you think your team will finish this season?
Well, I think winning the Big Canada is realistic. It's a damn tough division and I can't possible see anybody in Big Canada finishing first overall because of all the hard games we'll have against each other. I'd say any where from second to fourth in the conference.

5 - Who will be the division winners this year?
I think the Piranhas will win the Euro; but we will be treated to a great race between them and the Galaxy all season long. I think that Battalion will finaly win what has been the best rivalry in DWSHL against the Vipers by a hair for two reasons; one because the Vipers have started so slow and the Battalion started so strong and two because Brian Leetch will tip the scales more for the Battalion then Marchant did for the Vipers. In the Pacific I like the Phantoms simply because I'm not sure if the Spartans offense can be at such an unbelievable level as the last two years. Finaly, in the Big Canada, I think you could pick any one of myself - I hope :) , the Racers - who are to strong on paper not to challenge, and the Rattlers who have a super top six.

6 - Who will the Daniels and Beam?
Wow, there are about 4 teams in each conference that I think can win. For the Daniels I would go with the Piranhas if they were stronger in net, but I think the Battalion will finaly have their year because Leetch will be the difference. In the Beam I think it's a real mess. I can see there only being 4-5 points seperating the first place team and a team that doesn't even have home ice advantage in the first roung of the playoffs. Phantoms I'd have to go with because of the weaker divional rivals and because of the best goalie in the game.

7 - Who'll be taking the Drunks' Cup?
Same situation with the last question, but I think I'd have to go with the Phantoms who have such amazing depth and the best goalie. Only thing that could stop them is not having a good number two Dman behind Redden - although they have lots of top four blueliners but in that case I like the Racers because they are so strong and have under-achieved every time they've not won the cup. Of course, depth or goaltending or anything else for that matter will be completely irrelevent if Jagr and Naslund decide to win the cup again.

8 - Which team or GM do you feel is your biggest DWSHL rival?
There are two that are on an equal level for me personally. The first would probably be the Racers because of that amazing series we had in the first round two years ago where I lost in seven games. The second is the Rattlers because we of the Lidstrom factor and because of the division rivalry as well - I think we'd be one helluva playoff series if we met up.

9 - What's the best trade you've made in the DWSHL?
Jeez... I've only made 500 deca decillion *rolls eyes*. There would be two that stand out for me. The first is the Nick Lidstrom deal. It would be my worst deal if I couldn't have re-signed him after losing him for a season, but getting all that amazing youth I did for him and then getting him back after the season will be huge for my franchise. Second would be the rapping of the other Brett I did. I don't know how I convinced him of it, but I got Ales Hemsky for Lubomir Bartecko. Now, Barteck is currently rated better, but that won't last long, and Hemsky is a future franchise winger for me, while Bartecko is a mediocre second liner.

10 - What's the worst trade you've made in the DWSHL?
I don't think I've made anything that really jumps out at me as an oh my god was I raped, type. However, there is one, that I vaguely remember. I was brand new to the league still and just getting my feet wet and so excited about the league and about doing stuff I made trades just because. The worst was when I gave up a couple firsts and a couple seconds to Spracklin for Ilja Nikulin, who was good and nice, but not nearly worth what I paid.

11 - Who's your favorite NHL team?
I'm an absolute die hard Oiler fan. I can guarentee that nobody in this league loves a hockey team anywhere more then I love the Oilers. My moods corelate with how the Oilers are playing. There are only two things in the world that could make me miss the DWSHL draft like I did last year. The first is luxury box at an Oilers game (as long as it isn't against the Wild!!), the second is twins......you guys know what I'm talkin about :)!

12 - Who's your favorite NHL player (past or present)?
Two are heads and tails above any others. Present is Alexei Yashin. I hate people who like a player because he's leading the league in scoring. To me that isn't liking a player, thats simply being impressed with him. As for past - and probably all time - It's Messier. He's my hero. My idol after Jim Thome. Moose is the greatest leader in the history of the NHL. He is the only player without the skill of Lemieux or Gretzky that could take a team and drag them to such great things on his back.

13 - Least favorite NHL team?
There are quite a few I HATE. The Leafs are a bunch of babies and pouters and they have the dirtiest team in the NHL. The Stars, for obvious reasons, and the the Canucks would be the next two.

14 - Least favorite NHL player?
There are four guys. Todd Bertuzzi because you tell he's stupid just by listening to him speak (and no, I've hated him long before he suckered Moore). Tie Domi and Donald Brashear are the other two who disgust me. Domi is the lowest, no good, big mouth, show off in the NHl. He is dirty and disrespectful. Darcy Tucker is the essence of all that I hate in hockey. he has no respect for any opponent - and makes the others look like respectful quiet communists!

15 - Lockout or not next year?
My head says yes, my heart says no. I'm an emotional guy and want to believe that they can work it out - so I'll say no, there won't be - althoug I think it's more wishful thinking then logic.

16 - What's on your pizza?
Not OVERLY crazy about Pizza.... I mean like everybody I like it but don't get excited over it. I suppose Pepperoni.

17 - Martin Brodeur's ex-wife - hot or not?
Don't know who she is.... <Ed's note: She is, trust me.....>

18 - What's your favorite city/place you've visisted?
definately Los Angelos, although Moose Jaw Saskatchewan is a close second (ha!)

19 - If you're stranded on a deserted, tropical island with 1 person and only 5 items from home, who and what are they, and why?
Anna Kournikova - look at her! lotsa booz for 4 of the five items and I suppose and a computer so I know how the Oilers and my IceDogs are doin!

20 - Your thoughts on what makes me (Pate) the coolest GM in all of the DWSHL?
I dunno, do you have a hot girlfriend :) ? <Ed's note: Damn right I do... That is until she gets therapy and realises I'm a dumbass> Gotta respect a guy who's never missed the playoffs though and who steps up and makes this league much more alive updating the digest. although, some how the question forgot the "second" before coolest in the question!!!

Any additional comments:
Imagine the lifes some of us would have if this wasn't our life!!! :)

My thanks to Harvie for his time and answers.... I've got a lot of you who've offered to be interviewed so, I'll be getting to each of you in time. Thanks for all the offers and looking forward to hearing your responses.