Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second-round (32nd overall) in
2009, young forward Landon Ferraro has been around hockey all of his
life.
The 21-year-old is poised to take a run at the Red Wings' roster this
season, whenever it gets going, and follow in his father Ray's great
footsteps.
So far, he's on the right track, picking up five goals and five
assists for 10 points in 14 games, to date, with Grand Rapids of the
AHL.
Jonathan Stuart caught up with Landon to talk hockey:
Q: What is the
deal with you, your dad and Chicken Parmigana?
A: My dad got me hooked. I could eat it every night and be
happy. Hey, it's got protein and carbs. Everything you need in a
pregame meal.
Q: You
are no stranger to Twitter (@LandonFerraro)
and I see you have over 3000 followers.
A: It is just such a cool way to connect with friends and
other players around the league. I chirp my dad on twitter more than
anyone. Like the night he wore a flannel shirt to a country music
concert. Really, dad? Really, a flannel shirt?
Q: Last
time you were on the wrong end of a bodycheck?
A: Oh man, that was Brett Lebda. It wasn't a huge hit, it's
just the guy is so solid that it felt like my shoulders were touching
each other after he hit me.
Q: How
about the last time you leveled a buddy of yours?
A: That would have been my good buddy Alex Petrovic (San
Antonio). I got him good and then later in the game there were guys
pushing and shoving and someone grabs me and gives me the good old
"face wash." I was getting ready to deck the guy and as I turn around
it's Alex with a big old smile on his face. We both had a good laugh.
Q: Any
significance to you wearing 29?
A: I grew up wearing 13. I was a big Mats Sundin fan growing
up, but I don't think Datsyuk is leaving the Wings anytime soon so I
had to make a number switch. I went with 29 because I like any number
that takes up a lot of jersey space. Any number that makes me look
bigger is a good thing.
Q: Who
controls the music in the locker room?
A: That would be Brennan Evans. He usually has a good
variety going. I take over once in a while before practice. A little
Cold Play, Alexi Murdoch.
Q: Who
shouldn't have control the music?
A: That honor goes to Tomas Tatar. It doesn't matter if it's
8:15 in the morning or 8:15 at night. He's blasting house music. My
locker is right by the speakers and it feels like I'm being punched in
the head every time.
Q: Besides
anything that I've asked. What is the dumbest question that has come
your way?
A: Some guy asked me if I was jealous of my dad. I didn't
know what to say. It pretty much put an end to the interview.
Q: Being
around the game with your dad, are there any moments that stand out
for you getting to meet NHL players?
A: When my dad played those three seasons in Atlanta at the
end of his career I was spending a lot of time at the rink, filling up
water bottles, cleaning visors and being a general pain in the ass.
Besides that I did become good friends with Dany Heatley. We would
spend an hour a day just talking hockey. He's such a great guy.
Q: Have
you ever played against any of your dad's former teammates that knew
you growing up?
A: Andrew Brunette was best buds with my dad and I got to
line up opposite him at a face off and he just started laughing. Sean
O'Donnell was another. We actually named our dog "OD," which was
Sean's nickname. When he saw me on the ice he said, "I know my career
is over if your old enough to be playing in the NHL."
Q: One
teammate that you better have eyes in the back of your head or you
will be his next practical joke victim?
A: That would be Triston Grant. Your head has to be on a
swivel with him. I was on the trainer's table and he walks by and rips
out 48 leg hairs. Damn, it hurt. He's my roomy on the road and he has
this nasty habit of hiding behind doors, in closets. He has scared the
crap out of me on more than one occasion.
Q: One
thing I have to say about your dad is that he has one of the coolest
jobs in the business.
A: His job has allowed him to stay close to the game that he
loves so much. I guess he must look smaller than 5-10 because I
remember him telling me a story about someone leaving a step stool in
the box that he calls the game from with a note saying, "just want to
make sure you can see over the boards."
Q: You've
had to battle injuries over the past few years. How much help is it
having your dad who had to battle through injuries in his career make
the rehab process easier?
A: My dad had his share of knee injuries through his career
so he knows what I am going through. It is so easy to get down but was
a big help in keeping me focused and getting back to 100 per cent.
