Felix Says....

"Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs has been a great opportunity for me. I have come to appreciate the great tradition of the Maple Leafs' organization and learn to deal with the team's incredible popularity in the community. Playing Junior hockey in Chicoutimi and spending some time with our farm team in St. John's helped make me a better goaltender, but it didn't prepare me for the fan interest in Toronto."

“As far as the best team going into the playoffs, I think the St. Louis Blues were just because they dominated all year and they were the team that finished first overall. But as far as my pick is concerned in the playoffs, I would probably say Detroit are the frontrunners or Colorado.”

“Well, I try to watch them here and there but I think it’s a little tough to watch them when you’re outside the playoffs. As far as having any teams that I cheer for, I don’t really have anybody in particular. I’ve got so many friends on all kinds of different teams that I can’t really pick one.”

“Well, I really think what we need to do is play the way we played after the All-Star break. I think we really played like a team that can contend for a playoff spot. If we do that from the start of the year, I think we should be good. Also having the two Sedin brothers coming next year should help us to be a better team.”

“Well, I’m not sure what’s going to happen with Garth or with me, as a matter of fact. I think we’re both up for contracts. As far a teammate, Garth has been great. From the day I got here, I think we’ve gotten along pretty well. I know it wasn’t an easy situation for him to be in. I’ve been in that situation before but I think he handled it pretty well. As far as when he played, he played outstanding for us. So he’s a good all round guy.”

“It’s not much of an adjustment on the ice. I think, yes, you do have to get used to your new defencemen and everything. But I think where it’s a real tougher part is moving the family around and then settling into a new place where you haven’t been before. I think it takes a little while to settle in.”

“Well, I just try to stay positive all the time. I think I try not to get too high or try not to get too low, just find a good middle ground and work hard all the time. I think whatever happens, you’ve got to keep everything in perspective and just try to do your job.”

“Well, I think going from Toronto to the Island, I found that a big difference as far as hockey is concerned. Because obviously in New York, they’ve got two hockey teams, two baseball teams, two basketball teams and two football teams. So there’s a lot of interest in other things compared to Toronto where the Leafs are the main ticket in town. So I kind of missed that atmosphere, that hockey atmosphere every day, and it was kind of good to get back to Vancouver for that.”

“Well, fortunately I’m lucky to have a family that follows me around in those three cities. So basically your life doesn’t change much. We’re fortunate that by coming to Vancouver, it’s such a great city here that I think my wife and the kids have settled in really well. So it makes it a lot easier when you like the city you’re in.”

“I’d never say no. You never know what could happen. But I’m happy with the year I just had here, the last half of the year was pretty good here. I think I’d like to have a chance to play for the Canucks for a few years and establish myself here and play good and maybe help them to make a run for the playoffs.”

“Obviously if you’re a goaltender, you pretty much like everything about your job, and I think there’s no doubt a lot of pressure when you’re back there. But again, you have to enjoy that kind of pressure to be able to be a goalie. It’s just a fun position to play.”

“Well it depends on where he is. If he’s at the blue line, you might have a chance to see it. Of course if he’s at the hash marks, you don’t stand much of a chance unless he hits you! But as far as how you feel, you kind of know he’s there but it’s part of the game and you just try and react and get a piece of it.”

“I don’t think so. I think the crease rule … if they don’t put it back, they definitely have to protect the goalies. I think you’ve seen more goalies get run this year and the last thing you want to see is a goalie get hurt. I think I agree that some of the goals last year with the crease rule might have been good even though they were disallowed. But I really think that they need to really protect the goalies.”

“Well, basically I think you just have to let him enjoy the game. I can always say the best example I had was pretty much from my parents. From day one when they put me in hockey, I never felt any pressure from them. They just let me enjoy the sport and I guess they just took it like whatever happens, happens. But the last thing you want to do is have a little guy that is eight years old and feels the pressure of performing and having to be good to play in the NHL.”

“Well, I’d have to say that the most memorable one was definitely in my first year when I made the playoffs with Toronto and we eliminated Detroit in Game Seven in Detroit. I think you can’t forget anything about that. We finished eighth, we were huge underdogs, and here we are beating the best team in the league that year.”

“I really like Chicago. I think Chicago is a nice place to play, they have a nice rink, they have a lot of good restaurants around and it’s a good atmosphere. That might also have something to do with that’s the place I played my first NHL game. So that’s pretty much my favorite road city.”

“Well, that’s been following me around quite a bit but I think it started out in junior with Felix The Cat, the cartoon, and it’s just followed me around.”

“Greg Harrison does my helmets. He basically came up with the design in Toronto and we just basically try to keep the same kind of logo when I moved around. We just kind of change the color and change different things.”

“Well, my two teams were the Quebec Nordiques and the New York Islanders. And my favorite player was Billy Smith when I was growing up.”

“Well, what inspired me is when you’re a kid, you look at all the equipment and everything, and you always want to play goalie, and I was asking my dad for quite a bit but he wanted to make sure that I learned how to skate first. So, finally I just decided to be a goalie. As far as my biggest influence, I’d probably have to say my dad. He’s been around and helping me all the time.”

“Oh, that’s a tough one. (laughing) I always loved the outdoors a lot, I love fishing and stuff like that, so it would have turned out to have something to do with sport fishing or stuff like that.”

“Well, again, I’ve got a place down in Quebec on the lake where I do a lot of fishing and stuff like that. So my main priority is going to be hanging around with the kids a little more because you’re away so much when you play hockey. But I’m looking forward to starting something on my own and having fun with it.”