We get to know NHL players with some quick questions. Today we meet big-hitting, 6-5 Montreal defenseman Ryan O'Byrne.What are your first hockey memories?
Playing mighty mites level around age 5 in Victoria, British Columbia. Matt Pettinger, who's a few years older than me, was also raised in Victoria, but our town is not a hockey hotbed.
What's the best part of being in the NHL?
The travel is so much better than at any other level and in any other league. Everything is so first-class. The schedule is more condensed this season with the Olympics, but it's still mostly Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday for us. We have it very good in the NHL.
What's the toughest aspect of playing in the NHL?
The pressure to be at your best every game can be pretty intense. That's not a complaint, just the reality -- especially in Montreal. You're in the spotlight every day. The microscope is a big one. No bad play goes unnoticed. I know all about that!
Any game-day rituals or superstitions?
Our sports psychologist made a good point a few weeks ago about superstitions. He said to us, "If the Montreal Canadiens were playing a team of 5-year-olds, would you still worry about your rituals?"
Uh, yeah. Nothing big. I just put on my equipment left-side first.
If you could lay a big, clean hit on anyone in the league, who would it be?
My college roommate from Cornell, Byron Bitz with the Bruins. We're still good friends. We both like to play a physical brand of hockey. Would be great to get him with a good hit.
Which teammate of yours would you like to be for one day?
Andrei Markov. I'd love to know what it's like to have that level of poise, vision and skill. Must be nice.
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