1-on-1 With Everyone

Tucson Roadrunners Head Equipment Equipment Manager Eric Bechtol, Forward Cameron Hebig, and Goalie, Matthew Villalta joined Adrian Denny, Kim Cota-Robles and Arizona Daily Star Sports Editor Brett Fera this week on Roadrunners Happy Hour prior to Tuesday’s game against Calgary. Catch Happy Hour every Tuesday at 5 p.m. on Fox Sports 1450 AM and the Roadrunners Happy Hour Podcast on the iHeartRadio app. For the complete episode, and to hear about Kim’s love of popcorn, download below.

Listen to “Game Night Special Number Two” on Spreaker.

Eric Bechtol:

Q: We heard your son came to surprise you at home for your 2000th game Wednesday.

Well, yesterday (Monday) we just had a team workout because of the arena conversion back to the hockey rink. So, I shot home and let the dogs out, took them for a walk, got some things going, got the crockpot going, we had a nice beef and noodles dinner set up that my wife wanted to get going. So, Nicky asked if I’d get that stuff going and so I’m like, why are we cooking so much, this feeds an army. I’m thinking, well, okay, I’ll have lunch tomorrow… we’ll be all set. I hear the door click at about 4:30 p.m. I was thinking that it was (son) Caden walking in the house from jury duty and instead it’s Gavin (other son) and my wife, Nicky. So, I had no idea he was coming down. He was with me for a great night, and he was in for a little bit with morning skate and we’ll be back later for games and whatnot. Unfortunately, his season had finished out at Mercyhurst College, at least for his team, it’s unfortunate, but for him and myself, I was glad that he got down.

Matthew Villalta:

Q: Congratulations on the record. 23 wins. Have a good night tonight.

(On his way to locker room for game) Appreciate it. Yeah, the boys will be rolling. Yeah, they will. Can’t go without them.

Matt had just done an interview with Erin Patterson for KGUN 9 that ran Tuesday at 10 p.m. View it HERE.

Cameron Hebig:

Q: With 20 games in hand over last season, you’re almost at the same point total. What is the difference between this season and last season? What has been the biggest contributor to that?

Yeah, I think maybe just experience as you get older, you kind of learn the league and how to prepare in the summer. I think I did put a lot of time in during the summer and Steve gave me things to work on and how I can work on my game and things like that. So working out, training, just trying to learn, and I think as you get older in the league, you’re trying to find ways to improve. Every year you get older, you get wiser and so that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to get better every day, trying to learn and just get more confidence with the puck. Playing with good players this year has helped too. So, yeah, I think there’s a lot to it. Obviously, you can’t take anything for granted. You get a chance in this league, and you have got to make the most of that. So that’s kind of been my focus this year and obviously learning the mental game of hockey and its ups and downs in the year. So, I think that’s also a big part of it too. As you get older, you learn about the mental side and how big that is. And just trying to stay even keel and be positive throughout the year and can help on ice.  

Q: How’s your niece doing?

She’s great. She actually came down to Tucson this year in January, so it was great to see her. She just started walking then, so it was so awesome to be with her and get time with her. She’s so cute, and I miss her lots. I get videos sent to me to give me a smile, so she’s doing great, and I look forward to getting more time with her.

Q: What kind of things are you doing around Tucson for fun?

I like to go for walks and hikes in Tucson. At home (in Saskatchewan), I like to kayak and be at the lake. I like to fish. Yeah, so those are kind of my hobbies back home in the summer. Paddle boarding and water sports and that kind of thing, just being on the water, being outdoors and going for bike rides. I’m a simple man. Those are the kind of the things I enjoy doing.