British Ice Hockey Network Sites

Interview with Belfast's Pat Bateman

Interview with Belfast's Pat Bateman by Seanna Murdock

Belfast Giant's no nonsense Forward Pat Bateman has taken time out from his busy schedule in the closing weeks of the Elite League to answer some questions for britishicehockey.co.uk

SM: How does playing for the Belfast Giants in the Elite league compare to your previous experience?
PB: I really enjoy playing over here, the organization is top class and the city is great. I can see why so many players don’t leave once they get here.

SM: Talk me through a typical day as a Giant.
PB: A typical day for me starts at practice which usually starts at 9:00 am. After practice and depending on whether or not I have class, I will get lunch and relax or eat and head off to class. The typical school day ends at 8:00 pm and we head home to relax before bed.

SM: What has been your best moment this season?
PB: My best moment this season hopefully hasn’t come yet, but so far I’m most proud of our winning streak we strung together during the middle of the year.

SM: How does living and working in Belfast compare to where you have previously lived?
PB: Life in Belfast is really enjoyable and I have settled in quite nicely so far and here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of living in the UK.
Disadvantages: No dryers, sinks with only one side, no free refills on pop, TV licenses.
Advantages: Guinness, Liverpool Football Club, Tangfastics, the Giants Causeway.

SM: In your opinion how does the EIHL compare to the ECHL and the AHL?
PB: The EIHL is pretty similar to the ECHL in terms of quality but I’d have to say there’s more time on the puck over here and probably more depth in the Coast.

SM :If you could play for an NHL side which would you choose?
PB: Being from Calgary I would have to say the Flames.

SM: Who is your favourite hockey player of all time?
PB: Mark Messier.

SM: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
PB: My Mom

SM: Where do you see yourself in five years time?
PB: In five years I will have a job in Finance

SM: What has been your proudest moment?
PB: Definitely the birth of my daughter.

SM: How do the Belfast fans compare to other fans you've played in front of?
PB: We definitely have the most passionate fans in the league. Belfast is a working class city and they expect the same type of work ethic from their team. They truly care about the team and desperately want trophies.

SM: Which of your fellow players were you looking forward to playing with the most?
PB: I would have to say Tom Walsh, his reputation precedes him.

SM: Do you have any superstitious rituals you do before playing a match?
PB: Doing as little as possible.

SM: Who else in the league has impressed you this season?
PB: Luke Fulgham is having a pretty outstanding year.

SM: If you weren't a hockey player what would you be doing career wise?
PB: Finance

SM: If you had three wishes to be granted what would you wish for?
PB

1. A time machine
2. A money tree
3. More wishes

Comments

No comments for Interview with Belfast's Pat Bateman
Name (required)
Email (required - will not be published)
Website
No HTML tags allowed

STATS

  Club GP Pts
1 Coventry Blaze 56 76
2 Belfast Giants 56 75
3 Nottingham Panthers 56 70
4 Cardiff Devils 56 65
5 Sheffield Steelers 56 53
6 Edinburgh Capitals 56 52
7 Newcastle Vipers 56 46
8 Hull Stingrays 56 43

POLL

Who will win the Elite League this season?
Belfast Giants
Cardiff Devils
Coventry Blaze
Edinburgh Capitals
Hull Stingrays
Newcastle Vipers
Nottingham Panthers
Sheffield Steelers


View Results