 Goaltender Matt Hackett 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 the Windsor Spitfires in the 5th round (87th overall) in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, Hackett was acquired on November 13th, 2007 by the Whalers along with Michal Jordan, Barrie's 2nd round pick in 2008, and Windsor's 3rd round pick in 2009 for Michal Neuvirth, Tom Kane, and a 4th round pick in 2009. The London, Ontario, native, took a few minutes before practice to help us break the ice and chat about a number of things including his uncle Jeff Hackett, his roommate Jamie Devane, and his former captain Mickey Renaud. » On who has influenced him in hockey… “My uncle Jeff (Hackett). During the summer he helps me out a lot. I work out with him and he teaches me everything about goaltending like the mental parts of the game and on ice too. He’s the Colorado Avalanche’s goaltending coach and played in the NHL, so he knows what it takes to make it to the next level." » On the best advice he has been given… “From my uncle – to never give up and to compete every day you’re out there on the ice.” » On how he started playing hockey… “My dad put me in it when I was about 5 years old because my whole family does it. When I was 10 years old, I made the switch to goalie. It wasn’t because of my uncle. I loved it before, but didn’t really play it. So I just decided that’s where I’m going to play, I don’t really care what you say, and I’ve been there ever since.”  » On his most memorable game…
“Playing in London when I was 16 (February 16, 2007) for Windsor and losing 5-4 in overtime to Pat Kane and Sam Gagner. I made 45 saves and was the third star of the game. It was great to play that well back in my hometown against such a good team.” » On his youth hockey highlight… “Being drafted in the 5th round by Windsor.” » On what championships he has won… “AAA minor midget.” » On his most embarrassing hockey moment… “In AAA, I was running on the ice and I fell on my face – that was pretty embarrassing.” » On if he has played with any of the guys before… “I played with Jordon O’Neill for my entire minor hockey on the London Jr. Knights.” » On if he grew up watching the Knights… “Yeah, I went to a bunch of their games. A lot of the guys on my team growing up would go out every Friday night and go watch them.”  » On playing in London…
“When I was 16 I got sick before the games because I got pretty nervous. But now it’s fun. I like playing in front of the home crowd. You don’t really have to get excited for the game. Once you get out there, it’s pretty easy to get pumped. It helps me play better.” » On who he tries to model his game after… “I’d say my uncle back in the day, but now it would be Ryan Miller. I just love his style and everything he does is quick and smart.” » On what he should bring to the team… “I’m not very talkative in the room, but on the ice I am really competitive and I hate losing – guys can see that and feed off it.” » On living with a billet family… “It’s pretty nice. The Torres’ are great people and they take you in and care for you as one of their own. Every night is like you’re with your own family basically. They are just great people.” » On living with another player… “I lived with (Vern) Cooper last year and now Jamie (Devane). I think roommates are a lot better because you always have someone to talk to and have fun with. Jamie’s a good guy, he’s funny. We get in a lot of fights at night and wrestle a lot. He’s kind of crazy, but shy at the same time.” » On the toughest player he has played against… “Pat Kane because he has dirty hands.”  » On being traded by Windsor…
“I was shocked because they told me I was the goalie of the future there, but that happens in hockey. I was pretty happy to come here because I got more of an opportunity to play and more ice time.” » On former Windsor captain Mickey Renaud… “Mickey was a great guy; he was a great leader – one of the nicest guys on the team. Right when I got there, he was the guy who came up and started talking to me. I love the guy, I miss him a lot – he was just a great guy.” » On his typical day… “Wake up, go to the library with the boys, go to Geldy’s (Kaine Geldart) or someone’s house to get lunch, chill out for a bit, then go to the rink and practice. When I get home, I talk with the billets, have dinner, play with the billet kids and watch TV with my roommate.” » On his pre-game routine… “Hour and a half sleep before the game, chicken and pasta, and listen to music before game time.” » On if there is anything behind his jersey number 31… “My uncle wore it, so I decided to continue wearing it.” » On if he has any superstitions… “No.” » On if he has any nicknames… “Hack and Burnsy from Windsor. They called me Burnsy because of Mr. Burns from the Simpson’s. I’m so skinny like him so they called me Burnsy.”  » On what he does during shootouts…
“I just let the player make the first move and make sure you don’t bite on it, so I try to stay with them as long as I can and hopefully make the save. I line up on the post to start, I don’t know why, I’ve down it since I was little and have stuck with it.” » On if he likes shootouts… “Yeah, it’s fun. It’s good for the fans, I love it. I don’t get nervous anymore. I actually love getting shot on and making that big save and getting your team the extra point.” » On his dream shootout situation… “Last period, tied 2-2, under 2 minutes left. It would be fun to have Greg Nemisz from Windsor shoot against me because every day in practice we would always have these competitions.” » On what he'd be doing if he didn't play hockey… “I would want to be an athletic trainer or I'd be going to school somewhere.” » On if he fits the mold of goalies being a little different… “Not at all. My roommate says he can’t believe I’m a goalie because I’m not weird at all. He says I’m pretty cool actually.” » On the craziest thing that has happened on the road… “Last year in Kingston, I got jumped by some crazy fan and I threw him down. Security was all over me and stuff. It was pretty crazy.” 
» On his funniest teammate… “Tyler J. Brown, he’s a character. He’s a pretty funny kid.” » On what one thing he could not live without… “Hockey.” » On his dream vacation… “Florida.” » On the person he'd most like to meet… “Ryan Miller.” » On if he'd change any rules in hockey… “The trapezoid for the goalies so we can play the puck more.” » On what other players he would want on the ice with him… “In the OHL, Taylor Hall from Windsor, he’s fast and has sick hands. Chris Terry because he’s a great all around player. (Cody) Hodgson, (Alex) Pietrangelo, and (Drew) Doughty. No actually, go with (Steven) Stamkos up front. In the show I’d put (Joe) Thornton, (Jarome) Iginla, and (Vincent) Lecavalier up front and (Dion) Phaneuf and Brent Burns on D.” -Natalie Shaver, September 25th, 2008- -- Other Players' "Breaking the Ice" Features -- | 
