| Question - Ryan, you had such an emotional departure from Edmonton. How will it be to go back to Edmonton four times, especially the first time?" Smyth: "Well I have a lot of friends and family back in that area. I'll be excited to go back there and play. Obviously, yes, it was very emotional, 11 1/2 years on one team you find an attachment, not only in the hockey community and the organization but also in the community itself. We were involved in a lot of charities, my wife and I. We hung our hat there like it was home. So it was tough leaving there. But like I said I am excited being here. We're going to make home here for the next five years and hopefully we can bring a Stanley Cup here." Question - Ryan, can you give us an idea of what Joe Sakic's input was and how much he was involved? Smyth: "(joking) You can't tell all the secrets. Joe is as calm as can be as everyone knows. He's well respected. A gentleman and a scholar. He just said, 'hey, we'd love to have you. I know the team and the organization is thinking about you.' He really expressed the fact that we (Colorado) were really close last year and if we got in you never know what happens. We showed that with the Oilers two years ago. I think the big thing is he just felt confident in his voice. To have that, I think, it sold me in a lot of way." |
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Question - Scott, have you talked to Joel (Quenneville) and what do you hope to bring here and what does he hope to get from you? Hannan: "I think most people know what I bring as far as defensively and that atmosphere I bring hopefully.....penalty killing, playing against the other teams' top line. That's the goal I set for myself every game. Being a shutdown player. I think I have more to offer offensively but with things I can bring. I think pretty much it's just that, toughness on the defensive side of the game." Question - Ryan, the sacrifices the Islanders made to get you, did you feel any duty or loyalty to them based on the chances they took to acquire you? Smyth: "That's a great question because what they gave up at the trade deadline to acquire me. Right from the get-go, they treated us with a great deal of respect. They gave us every opportunity to want to come back there. I have a great deal of respect for that organization. I think for what went on at the start of the year, with Garth Snow taking over and Teddy Nolan head coach, they just treated us well. Yeah, it played a little bit of a role. They were right there to the bitter end. We were back-and-forth with a few different teams and obviously Colorado. I hope nothing but the best for them. They have a bright future of young players in their organization. I really do thank them for what they did." Question - Was geography a factor? Smyth: "Yeah, it was one factor. I think my game fits the Western style a little bit more. Obviously I think the big thing for me was for my wife and I to enjoy something different and know that it's still a hockey environment here in Colorado." |
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| Question - Ryan, the fans and the media affectionately refer to you as the Avalanche 'killer'. How excited are you to play for a franchise where the city knows who you are and knows how good you can be in the clutch? Smyth: "Obviously that's a nice gesture. Sometimes you just play good against other teams. I was fortunate to score a few goals, a few big goals against these guys. We've had our rivalries in the past, going back to the old rink (McNichols Arena). There's a lot of memories that these guys have. And the one thing they do have and I don't and that's the Stanley Cup. I believe with a guy like Joe Sakic leading the charge, we have every opportunity to win.....(joking) and Scott Hannan too." |