OUR GUEST FEDOR TYUTIN

Russian native Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman FEDOR TYUTIN is interviewed by Mark Malinowski - "The Hockey News" author.


FEDOR TYUTIN AGAINST DETROIT's ZETTERBERG

First Hockey Memory: “Well, my first hockey memory, when I think about my career, is, of course, how I started to play hockey. Back home we didn't have closed rink; it was open. And we skated only in the winter. It was pretty cold. So I remember how I froze my fingers."

Hockey Inspirations: "My heroes? Well, of course it was when I grow up, like (Viacheslav) Fetisov. I always was like excited to watch how he was playing. And proud of him, that we have a player like that."

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: "I like to fish, fishing in the summer. And I like cycling. And I can play soccer all the time in the summer, too."

Nicknames: "Well, ‘Toots’ I guess."

Favorite Movie: "Walk The Line.”

Favorite TV Show: "Here in America it would be Deal Or No Deal. I don't watch a lot of TV, so, it's one that I watch."

Musical Tastes: "I like techno."

First Job: "Would be hockey. I haven't worked in my life for money except hockey."

First Car: "It's Russian car - Lada (white)."

Pre-game Feeling: "Well, I just try to think in my mind who we’re playing against, what kind of players, what should I do against them. Just prepare my mind for it and just go through the basic, same routine I do for every game. Nothing really like extraordinary. Just prepare myself, my mind, for a tough game."

Favorite Meal: "I would say potato, like mashed potato, with meatloaf."

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: "I don't eat cereals; I eat oatmeal."

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "Chocolate vanilla."

Greatest Sports Moment: "It's probably world junior championship (2002, 2003).”

Most Painful Moment: "Probably when we lost in playoffs 4-0 to the Devils (as a member of the Rangers in 2006), that was especially painful."

Worst Injury: "I would say that's my knee, ACL, as far as I remember."

Favorite Uniforms: "Well, I do like the Rangers shirt when you put on the (Statue of) Liberty. That would be my favorite."

Favorite Arena: "Madison Square Garden."

Closest NHL Friends: "I talk to a lot of guys my age who I play back home. I don't have like a best buddy here."

Funniest Player Encountered: "Kaspar (Darius Kasparaitis)."

Toughest Competitors: "Probably it would be Avery. (Why?) I just see how he drives nuts other people. I wouldn't want to play against him."

Embarrassing Hockey Memory: "If I do something that I'm embarrassed of, I try to forget about it next day. So, I don't remember anymore."

Favorite Athletes To Watch: "I always looked at how Brian Leetch played. Few more guys, like Scott Niedermayer in Anaheim. It's pretty exciting to watch how he plays, skate and handle the puck.

Last Vacation: "Dominican Republic."

Personality Qualities Most Admired: "What I want to see in a guy? Well, I love when people are honest. Don't talk behind your back. That's most important thing I think in a personality - to be honest."