 Forward Brett Valliquette is featured in this edition of “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature showcases different Whalers so we can get to know them better.
Selected by Plymouth in the 13th round (249th overall) in the 2005 OHL Entry Draft, Valliquette was part of the OHL Championship team. He recorded his first OHL point with an assist in just his second career game. The Newmarket, Ontario, native took a few minutes after practice to help us break the ice and chat about his addiction to coffee, his love for Wendel Clark, and his roommates last season. » On the best advice he has been given… "Work hard and never give up." » On how he started playing hockey… “I was four years old, and my dad got me and my brother into it.” » On his most memorable goal… “In Minor Atom, I scored with 0.3 seconds left in overtime to win a tournament.” » On his youth hockey highlight… “Finishing first in the GTHL (Greater Toronto Hockey League) and then winning the GTHL.”  » On the championships he has won…
“The OHL last season, the GTHL three times, and the OMHA (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) once.” » On going to the Memorial Cup… “It was an amazing opportunity for a rookie starting out. We almost got the job done, but lost in the semis. It was just amazing to be a rookie and be there.” » On this year's team… “Now coming in, there’s a lot more rookies this year. We have a young team and if we work hard, we’ll be alright.” » On his most memorable moment as a Whaler… “Winning the OHL Championship and then going to the Memorial Cup in Vancouver.” » On his most embarrassing hockey moment… “I fell in my first warm-up ever in the OHL.” » On who has influenced him in hockey… “My whole family – my dad, mom, and brother – have always been there for me and supported me through everything.”  » On if he has played with any of the guys before…
“I played with Chris Terry for two years in minor hockey when we won the GTHL.” » On who he tries to model his game after… “Wendel Clark.” » On what he should bring to the team… “Hard worker, nothing fancy, work hard in the corners and do what you’ve got to do to help the team win.” » On the toughest player he has played against… “Wilson de Guy when I was growing up all through minor hockey.” » On living with billets… “It was hard to adjust in the beginning, but I have a great billet family and it’s a good situation. Last year, I was a rookie coming into the league and living with Brof (Evan Brophey) was good since he was kind of a mentor for me. He helped me out. I didn’t play much, but he was always telling me to keep working and he was just a good influence.”  » On his shortlived extra roommate…
“Brof and I were sitting on our couch in our room watching a DVD and Brof pointed out this little field mouse jumping around. So I grabbed one of the extra sticks we had in our room and took a slapshot and hit it up against the wall. That’s all there was to it, he was dead after that.” » On his typical day… “I wake up, get a double-double at Tim Horton’s, pick up Coop (Vern Cooper), go to school, finish at Starkweather at about 1, come to the rink, tape my stick, and get on the ice for practice.” » On his pre-game routine… “I wake up at 10 in the morning for a 7 o’clock game and have a coffee and yogurt. I have a nap around 1 o’clock, wake up around 3 and have a pre-game – chicken and rice – and go to the rink.” » On what he'd be doing if he didn't play hockey… “I would be trying to become a golf professional.” » On the annual Whalers golf outing… “The guys thought I was taking it a little more serious than everyone else, but it was good to win the outing.” » On his dream goal… “Double overtime, seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals against Curtis Joseph.” » On if there is anything behind his jersey number 16… “It was my first number I ever got playing minor hockey, and I have worn it ever since.”  » On if he has any superstitions…
“Always do up my right skate before my left.” » On if he has any nicknames… “Vally.” » On what one thing he could not live without… “Hockey.” » On his dream vacation… “Mexico for two weeks.” » On his funniest teammate… “Zack Shepley and Jordon O’Neill.” » On the person he'd most like to meet… “Wendel Clark.” » On what reality show he'd be on… “Survivor.” » On what other players he would want on the ice with him… “Wendel Clark, right wing. Doug Gilmour, center. Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey on defense. In net, Curtis Joseph.” -Natalie Shaver, September 5th, 2007- -- Other Players' "Breaking the Ice" Features -- | 
