Welcome to another installment of "So, You Want to be a Blue Jacket?

This series is presented in the form of a mock job interview. The operative word here is mock. We're presenting these from the perspective of the player, as if they were applying for a job with the Jackets. The players themselves aren't involved, so don't contact the team if you disagree with one of their answers! No player will avoid the interview process, not even Rick Nash. 

KRISTIAN HUSELIUS

Q) Hi Kristian, tell us a little about yourself.

A) I’m a shifty playmaking winger born in Österhaninge, Sweden on November 10, 1978. Drafted 47th overall in 1997 by the Florida Panthers, I started my career in Florida. I’m probably best known for my time with the Calgary Flames, but have spent the last three seasons with the Blue Jackets.

Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets.

A) Until last year (and unfortunately this year) I have always been a durable player. My best year was in 2006-07 when I put up 77 points in 81 games for the Flames, and I’m the type of player that you can expect to end the season with pretty respectable numbers. The defense always has to account for me when I have the puck. I'm good at finding my teammates and play well opposite of players like Rick Nash.

Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?

A) I’m a very streaky player. You can’t always count on me when the game is on the line, but from time to time I might just surprise you. I missed half of last season with injuries and will miss at least half of this year with a shoulder injury. At 32, if I’m going to continue being a top 6 player, I’ll need to work on improving my strength and health.

Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?

1. A) I was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2002 and won bronze with Team Sweden in the 2001 and 2002 World Championships. In 2006-07 I had a fifteen game point streak with the Flames.

One of our last mock interviews turns to one of the Jackets' most intriguing and at times frustrating prospects - puck moving blueliner John Moore.

Q) Hi, John. Tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Winnetka, Illinois, outside of Chicago, on November 19, 1990. I'm a lefthanded shot and I'm normally characterized as a puck moving defenseman with strong offensive skills. I played for the Chicago Steel of the USHL before being drafted by the Jackets with the 21st overall pick in the 2009 entry draft. I was considering going to the NCAA, but made the decision to play for Kitchener in the OHL after I was drafted. I put in one season with the Rangers in 2009-2010, where we had a run to the OHL Western Conference finals, then made my pro hockey debut last season, spending most of the time in Springfield, but playing in my first ever NHL game on February 5th against the Oilers.

Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets?

I've got a good eye for offense from the blueline, particularly in pressure situations - I had 4 goals and 12 assists in the OHL playoffs, and I'm hoping to translate my vision of the ice into the pro game. I'm a great skater, and my quickness to respond and react is a real asset. 

Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?

I've always been a good offensive d-man, but my defensive numbers frequently suffer. I see the ice offensively, but make mistakes at times in game situations. Last season I had a lot of issues with consistency in Springfield, and though I'm a good PPQB, I really need to get stronger to face bigger, more powerful opponents. I'm feeling a lot of competition with the depth behind me - I have to step my game up to live up to the potential from my draft year.

Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?

In Kitchener, I was named to the OHL all star team and won the Bob "Snowy" Schlieman award for the best offensive defenseman. I also won the Rangers' Ted Scharf humanitarian award, and was named to the AHL all star game last season to represent the Falcons.

We're coming to the end, and since I'm a dunce and missed an earlier interview, you're getting TWO installments today from the mock job interview series, "So, You Want to Be A Blue Jacket". Today's second interviewee is...

DEREK DORSETT

Q) Hi Derek, tell us a little about yourself.
A) I was born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan on December 20, 1986. I am a left-handed shooting winger who usually plays on the right side, and I stand 5'11" and weigh in at 190. I was the Blue Jackets' seventh round pick--189th overall--in 2006. I made my NHL debut for the Blue Jackets in during the '08-'09 season. I'm a sandpaper guy who plays with energy and isn't afraid to mix it up despite my size, but I haven't shown a lot of scoring touch above the WHL.

Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets.
A) Did I mention I bring energy? I skate hard all the time, I'll hit and fight anything and anyone, and I play all-out all the time. That sometimes can get me into trouble, as I led the club in penalty minutes last season. I bring an edge, and a never-back-down mentality.

Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?
A) Well, in addition to being a gritty guy in juniors, I could also score. In '06-'07, I led Medicine Hat in penalty minutes, but also tied for second on the team with 64 points. In my last two years in juniors, I played in 129 games and registered 112 points (44 goals). Part of that was the loaded nature of that team (we won the WHL championship, led by WHL MVP Kris Russell), but it's fair to note I've never come close to that kind of production since.

Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?
A) My team in Medicine Hat had a tremendous year in '06-'07, as we won the WHL and played in the Memorial Cup, losing to host Vancouver in the Championship. Other than that, getting drafted and making the NHL top my list. 

We're coming to the end, and since I'm a dunce and missed an earlier interview, you're getting TWO installments today from the mock job interview series, "So, You Want to Be A Blue Jacket". Today's first interviewee is...

DERICK BRASSARD

Q) Hi Derick, tell us a little about yourself.
A) I was born in Hull, Québec on September 22, 1987. I am a left-handed shooting centerman, and I stand 6'1" and weigh in at 190. I was the Blue Jackets' first round pick--sixth overall--in 2006. I made my NHL debut for the Blue Jackets in January of 2008. I'm more of a playmaker at my core, but I also scored at a pretty solid rate in The Q (Drummondville).

Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets.
A) I'm willing to work. After my inauspicious debut during the '07-'08 season, I spent the summer in Columbus working on my personal training in an effort to get stronger and make the club. And, the short-term results were good, considering I was on almost a point-per-game pace before getting hurt in '08-'09. Otherwise, my skating and my wrister are the things I rely on most.

Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?
A) I need to improve my faceoff work, and I need to get comfortable playing center with skilled players but also being willing to assert myself. When I've played with Rick Nash, too often I've spent so much time trying to set him up that my overall development has stalled. For my career, I'm 819-of-1803 on the draw, or 45.4%.

Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?
A) I have a few here and there. My '04-'05 season in The Q was memorable: I was on the CHL All-Rookie Team, the QMJHL All-Rookie Team, and won both the QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year (Michel Bergeron Trophy) and QMJHL Rookie of the Year awards. I was also on Canada's U18 silver-medal-winning team at WJCs. In '05-'06, I was decorated again in The Q: CHL Second All-Star Team, QMJHL Best Professional Prospect (Mike Bossy Trophy), and QMJHL First All-Star Team. In '07-'08, I made the AHL All-Star Game for Syracuse, and in '08-'09 I was the NHL Rookie Of The Month for October.

Welcome to another installment of "So, You Want to be a Blue Jacket?

This series is presented in the form of a mock job interview. The operative word here is mock. We're presenting these from the perspective of the player, as if they were applying for a job with the Jackets. The players themselves aren't involved, so don't contact the team if you disagree with one of their answers! No player will avoid the interview process, not even Rick Nash. 

DAVID SAVARD

Q) Hi David, tell us a little about yourself.

A) I was born on October 22, 1990 in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. I'm a two-way defenseman and played my junior hockey for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. The Jackets drafted me in the fourth round, 94th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. 

Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets.

A) I am solid in all three zones. I'm reliable defensively, and I'm not afraid to pinch-up offensively. I can run a powerplay, using my hard and accurate shot from the point. At every level so far I have shown the ability to put up points- both on special teams and five-on-five. I don't shy away from physical play, I like to initiate contact and can play a shutdown role if required. 

Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?

A) I need to continue to produce at the pro level. I had a good rookie season last year, but for me to make the NHL I need to continue putting up points. There isn't a single area that I need to focus on, I just need to continue getting better in every aspect of the game.

Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?

1. A) In 2010, I was awarded the Kevin Lowe trophy as the top QMJHL defensive defenseman, the Butch Bouchard trophy as top overall QMJHL defenseman, and was also named CHL Defenseman of the Year. That season I was the highest scoring blueliner in the league, setting a record for defenseman assists with 64. Last year-my first pro season, with Springfield-I was the highest scoring defenseman on the team, and finished second in AHL scoring for rookie blueliners.
   

Welcome to another installment of "So, You Want to be a Blue Jacket?

This series is presented in the form of a mock job interview. The operative word here is mock. We're presenting these from the perspective of the player, as if they were applying for a job with the Jackets. The players themselves aren't involved, so don't contact the team if you disagree with one of their answers! No player will avoid the interview process, not even Rick Nash. 

MATT CALVERT

Q) Hi Matt, tell us a little about yourself.

A) I’m from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, and I was born on December 24, 1989. The Blue Jackets drafted me 127th overall in 2008. Last year I spent half a season with the Springfield Falcons, Columbus’ AHL affiliate, and the second half in Columbus. I play left wing.

Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets.

A) I never quit. I’m a smaller player with the heart of a lion. If I had to compare myself to a current player, R.J. Umberger would be a pretty good comparison, although I’m a smaller player than him. I can score, play good defense, and was a team leader with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?

A) I need to find my role in the NHL so I don’t get stuck as a a tweener - someone with too much skill for the third line but not enough scoring or polish for the top two lines. My biggest strengths - my scoring ability and toughness will help me overcome my size.

Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?

1. A) I’ve scored two natural hat tricks already in my career. Once, with the Wheat Kings. Not only was it a natural hat trick, but they were all short-handed goals. I tied the WHL record for most short-handed goals in a game and I am the only player with three short-handed goals in one period in the playoffs. The second was with the Blue Jackets, the 19th hat trick in franchise history. In 2009-10, I was the captain of the Wheat Kings and was named to the WHL East Second All-Star Team and the Memorial Cup All-Star Team.

Incorporating our "Job Fair" format, what follows is how Curtis MIGHT answer the questions if I were on one side of the desk and he were on the other.

Standard Cannon Disclaimer: This series will be presented in the form of a mock job interview. The operative word here is mock. We're presenting these from the perspective of the player, as if they were applying for a job with the Jackets. The players themselves aren't involved, so don't contact the team if you disagree with one of their answers! Thirty players will be interviewed, even existing players. We hope you enjoy!

Q) Curtis, tell us a little about yourself.

A) I was born in Owen Sound, Ontario on October 5, 1979. I was fortunate to be able to play my major junior hockey with my hometown Owen Sound Platers in the OHL. Although I went undrafted, I signed my first pro contract right after finishing up with the Platers, when I signed with the St. Louis Blues. My first seven pro seasons were in the Blues organization. In 2007, I joined the Vancouver Canucks and had a rough stretch staying healthy. The past two seasons I played for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL.

Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets.

A) The biggest intangible I bring to Columbus is my mentoring ability. Two seasons ago, I had the pleasure of teaming with Cedrick Desjardins, a goalie who has a huge amount of potential. With the Jackets, my maturity will let me do whatever's needed to help the club. Whether it's here in Columbus or in Springfield.

Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?

A) Statistically, I've had two really good years in a row. What I need to remain focused on, is continuing my strong fundamental goalkeeping. It's also important to remain in top physical condition. Ultimately, I need to let the Blue Jackets know that I am capable of playing in the National Hockey League. That does not come at the expense of any of the other guys, but I need to let the organization know if they need somebody capable of starting one game or a month's worth of games, I am a reliable choice.

Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?

The past three seasons in the AHL, teams that I've played on have made it into the third round of the playoffs, and the Calder Cup finals once. In the '09-'10 season, Cedrick Desjardins and I won the AHL's Hap Holmes Trophy, which is the AHL's version of the Vezina Trophy. Also last season, I was named to the Second All-Star Team in the league.