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Questions With a Flames Prospect: Max Reinhart

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Image belongs to Kootenay Ice; credit is to Cranbrook Photo and Studio

Flames prospect and Kootenay Ice center Max Reinhart, son of original Calgary Flame Paul Reinhart, has become a favorite around these parts thanks to his strong two-way play and consistent scoring, no matter where he is. He and the Ice recently advanced to the second round of the WHL playoffs, largely due to a massive one goal, three assist performance by Reinhart in a 5-4 win over over the Moose Jaw warriors, in which all of Reinhart’s assists contributed to a hat trick by linemate Matt Fraser.

Last week I got a chance to ask Max Reinhart some questions. We weren't able to make a phone interview happen due to the playoff schedule, however he was good enough to get back to me via email. Enjoy after the jump!

 

Matchsticks and Gasoline: What NHL player, current or former do you model your game after? What part of their game to you try most to fit into yours?

Reinhart: I couldn’t pick a player who I play the most like, so I got my coach to pick for me and he came up with Tomas Plekanec off Montreal. I think I’d try to fit his vision and offensive creativity into my game.

M&G: Your on-ice vision has definitely increased this past year, what else do you think you’ve improved upon since being drafted by the Calgary Flames?

R: I think the biggest improvements I've made this year on the ice has been my on-ice strength. The difference from last year to this year has made playing a lot easier for me.

M&G: Do you stay in touch with the Flames organization at all? How much?

R: I have weekly check ups with Ron Sutter the player development coach for the Flames. I just give him a quick update on how the week went. I also hear from them whenever they attend a game that I'm playing in.

M&G: In game two of your current series you had a great set-up while shorthanded to score the game winning goal–what enabled you and your fellow penalty killers to set up that play?

R: The puck was cleared down the ice and they threw the puck to our point man and I deflected the shot into the corner. I made a body check on the d-man and he threw the puck to Czerwonka, who drew 3 defenders to him and he slid the puck down low to them and I was all alone at the top of the crease and beat the goalie on the short side.

M&G: What do you consider to be your strengths as a player?

R: My strengths as a player are skating and puck handling. I also use my vision of the ice to create opportunities whenever I can.

M&G: What are your training goals for what will hopefully be a short offseason?

R: The main goals I have for off season training are to gain weight and get stronger throughout my lower body. I believe that getting a stronger lower body will give me a better chance at becoming a pro one day.

M&G: Are the Kootenay Ice doing anything fun for the playoffs? Beards, mullets, etc?

R: Our team has dyed our hair black and we are growing the traditional playoff beards. [Editor's note: I'd kill to get a photo of these beards.]

M&G: What do typical pre-game preparations look like for you: meals, music, superstitions, traditions?

R: Every game day I go to Quiznos with Drew Czerwonka and Matt Fraser. I order the bbq smokehouse chicken then I go home and nap until 4 where my billets make a pasta for me and my roommate Steele Boomer [Ed.: how great of a name is that?], then I take a shower and go to the rink.

M&G: What do you think you’d like to do as a career if you had never played hockey?

R: I would have tried to play golf. My family is really into golf and I really enjoy it.

M&G: What are some of your favorite day off activities?

R: On day offs most of the guys on our team play X-box, or when it is nice out we play some sort of sport. Just do anything to kill the time.

* * *

It was a bit short as this was less an interview and more a Q&A. Hopefully next season we'll be able to set up a phone interview at some point and check in with Max Reinhart. Still, it was nice to get some insight on the prospect.

 

Assorted Thoughts:

Sticktap to Tiffany Harris, the Director of Marketing for the Kootenay Ice, for helping fascilitate this despite my awful timing. It's definitely appreciated.

by Arik Knapp