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?
- 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.