Cote Carnival Interviews – Part 3 of 4 | Broad Street Buzz

My next interview was the one I was looking forward to the most. Unfortunately, he was on his way out of the Carnival when I got to him so time was not on my side for the 6 questions I had orginally planned. But he did agree to give me a 3 question, quick interview. So here it is, my two minutes and thirty-six seconds with Flyers goaltender, Ray Emery…

A lot of the Philly fans really don’t know that much about the KHL. How were you received over there and how did you feel playing in the KHL?
It was alright, you know. I don’t think people knew much about me other than the fact that I played in the NHL and over there they enjoy hockey and you have the chance to see guys who played in the NHL. They had a better caliber of hockey this year.

I know it sounds like kind of a generic question, but, who were some of your influences growing up? I mean, who made you say, “This is what I want to be,”?
I came from kind of a different background. I don’t wanna say I didn’t have influences because I did, obviously Grant Fuhr and especially black players in the game. But, I lived near Toronto. I love the Leafs and all that. But, I was just a competitive kid. So, it’s not like I said, “I’m gonna be a hockey player,” I just, you get so much influence and you get to play a sport for a living. It’s not something that you turn down. Like I said, there are definitely people who are inspirational, I was just excited to get a chance to play a sport for a living.

How does it feel to be a Philadelphia Flyer?
It’s great. When I was a kid, my Dad was a huge Flyers fan and I was kind of a Leafs fan. but, after the fact, I appreciate the style of hockey that they had been playing here when they were successful and even since then, moreso than some other teams, they welcome a rough game. I think they appreciate gritty players and a gritty team. That suits me just fine. I like that style of play and growing up where I did, playing the type of hockey that I did, that’s my style. The city and the area is great, it’s a real sports town and that just adds on top of it.

Ok, that’ll do it. Thanks, Ray, for your time and can’t wait to see you between the pipes.
Thanks, Paul.

Funny thing is, I don’t remember telling him my name.

Anyway, there’s the Emery interview. Come back tomorrow for the final chapter of my Cote Carnival interviews.

Until then, keep your chin up, your eyes on the puck and you can never go wrong with high to the stick side.