1-On-1 With AHL Player of the Week Laurent Dauphin
Tucson Roadrunners Forward and Reigning AHL Player of the Week Laurent Dauphin stopped by Roadrunners Happy Hour on Tuesday, October 25, to discuss his first AHL hat trick and Tucson’s weekend sweep at home. Join Adrian Denny, Brett Fera, and Kim Cota-Robles every Tuesday at 5 p.m. on FOX Sports 1450AM and the iHeartRadio app. A podcast version of last week’s episode, featuring Tucson goaltender Ivan Prosvetov, can be found on the iHeartRadio App or by listening below.
Listen to “Ivan’s Out To Play” on Spreaker.
Q: Laurent, congratulations on being named AHL Player of the Week. What do you think got yourself and the team going so quickly this season with a 3-1-0-0 start?
A: I think bringing a nice veteran presence with (Roadrunners Captain) Adam Cracknell, JSD, and myself. It’s nice to have some older guys to get the season going.
Q: You and fellow Quebec native Jean-Sebastien Dea, or “JSD” have brought a lot to this team already this year. How is it coming back to this organization alongside a guy that you’ve played with before?
A: It’s always nice to have people you know from back home when you’re this far away. Having some friends and family is huge for the mental side of things and it’s easier to get comfortable in the organization.
Q: How are you different now, both as a player and as a person, than when you were last with this organization three years ago?
A: I’m more mature for sure. I’m emotional on the ice, but I’ve been trying to calm things down. I’m also a better player overall with 40 games in the NHL last season. Playing at the Bell Centre in Montreal in front of everybody, I don’t think you can find a more stressful situation. I feel more relaxed out there now.
Q: Have you felt a good connection with Roadrunners Head Coach Steve Potvin over the years you’ve been in Tucson?
A: We go a long way back. He’s seen me play and have success here before, so he knows what I’m capable of. Both him and (Assistant Coach) John Slaney, I go back with both and have a relationship with both of them. It’s nice to work with them again.
Q: We’re heading out on the road for two games in San Jose, then two games in Calgary. What’s the practice plan for you and the team before we leave for the Bay Area?
A: I like the schedule right now, just playing games on the weekends. We’ll need to be ready for those two teams, but it’s just our normal practices and getting in shape. We have to get our special teams in sync and play our game this weekend.
Q: Do you have any desert stories from your time in Arizona and Tucson?
A: My brother came to visit and he played golf with my agent. He stopped the cart because he thought there was a hole in the road, but it was a rattlesnake. So they jumped back in the cart and took off.
Q: You’ve played all over the place on this continent throughout your career, what’s the hardest part of joining a new organization?
A: Definitely making connections with people. My English is better now, but when I started in the league it was tough for me to make connections with people without speaking their language. It can also depend on someone’s personality.
Q: Who on the Roadrunners has the best chirps?
A: Boko Imama for sure, but he can defend himself. A sneaky guy who chirps a lot is Jan Jenik. He makes me laugh when he does it, but it’s all part of the game.
