Kyle Wellwood interview via Cam and Strick podcast?

[JeremyHronek]

Anyone else listen to this interview?

To this point I had never heard Wellwood interviewed and I found it pretty entertaining. He shared his views about junior hockey, not working out, not being compliant about his rehab from the major surgeries he had, spoke about Evander Kane.

My main takeaways:

1. Didn't LOVE the game. Mentioned how boring and monotonous the seasons got. Enjoyed the after game partying far more than the actual playing.

2. Super laid back attitude. Quite a cerebral dude with a perspective that most GM's would not love. While you need a bit of it on a team, his laissez-faire attitude could certainly be seen as a distraction.

3. His voice and pronunciation of certain words were quite effeminate.

4. Understood his role on every team, specifically with the power play.

5. Does not watch any hockey currently or since he retired.

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[Khelandros]

Anyone else listen to this interview?

To this point I had never heard Wellwood interviewed and I found it pretty entertaining. He shared his views about junior hockey, not working out, not being compliant about his rehab from the major surgeries he had, spoke about Evander Kane.

My main takeaways:

1. Didn't LOVE the game. Mentioned how boring and monotonous the seasons got. Enjoyed the after game partying far more than the actual playing.

2. Super laid back attitude. Quite a cerebral dude with a perspective that most GM's would not love. While you need a bit of it on a team, his laissez-faire attitude could certainly be seen as a distraction.

3. His voice and pronunciation of certain words were quite effeminate.

4. Understood his role on every team, specifically with the power play.

5. Does not watch any hockey currently or since he retired.

Looks at stats, point 1 checks out.

 

[JeremyHronek]

Looks at stats, point 1 checks out.

Not sure if you remember him playing but he has high hockey IQ and had serious skill. Just small and would disappear in games at times. In the interview he mentions loving to play on lines with players who would mix it up like Darcy Tucker. Thoughtful interview.

 

[Koivu11]

One of Don Cherry’s weirdest obsessions.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Kyle WellFed

 

[SomeDude]

So, Kyle Wellwood is what Steve Simmonds made Phil Kessel out to be?

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

I'll be searching for this interview. He was a very complicated player. Seemed to have everything needed to be a great player and just never seemed to put in the work to make it happen. The description above matches my memory of him.

 

[Stealth1616]

I always thought the hardest part of playing in the NHL would be the constant grind it takes season to season.

I almost guarantee some guys out there don’t really care about hockey and just enjoy the paycheque/ lifestyle, which seems to be consistent with what Wellwood is saying.

 

[Nucker101]

Really makes you wonder how good he could’ve been if he was passionate about hockey.

 

[LeProspector]

Him and his brother were the complete opposite

 

[JianYang]

I always thought the hardest part of playing in the NHL would be the constant grind it takes season to season.

I almost guarantee some guys out there don’t really care about hockey and just enjoy the paycheque/ lifestyle, which seems to be consistent with what Wellwood is saying.

I think most guys at this level do love the game because for most people, it takes a lot of work and dedication to get there. You don't put that investment in if you don't like the game.

Wellwood was one of those guys that got where he is based on sheer natural skill. So he is one of the exceptions.

But even for guys who are obsessed with the game, there will be nights where they just don't have it. That's the function of a ridiculous schedule that sometimes has 4 games per week, not to mention that these guys have personal lives and have their ups and downs that will affect their work just like the rest of us.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

I didn't listen to this and am going on what was stated above, but good on him for speaking so candidly about it. He had the one season with the Leafs where he scored 42 in 48 and a lot of us thought he was destined to be one of those very small yet highly talented PPG producers. He certainly had all the tools for it. But it checks out with the production in the seasons surrounding that one.

Sounds like he never really loved the game. Which is refreshing to hear because I'm sure a lot of these pro athletes have been pushed far too much.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I remember that tubby picture of him by the pool.

 

[Koivu11]

I remember that tubby picture of him by the pool.

 

[Zanon]

 

[Il Stugotz]

My favorite Kyle Wellwood story was when he kept getting chased by a pack of wild dogs when he played in Russia.

 

[GMR]

One of my favorite hockey photos ever.

Fat Wellwood at the pool.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Checks out. Always struck me as a guy that just didn't care much about the game. He had tremendous talent and I was really excited for his future after his rookie season, but he really didn't progress beyond that.

 

[tarheelhockey]

3. His voice and pronunciation of certain words were quite effeminate.

?

 

[jackjohnson]

One of Don Cherry’s weirdest obsessions.

He called him magic mittens lol

 

[JeremyHronek]

?

Unsure how to explain it if you don't understand.

This was awesome and after hearing the interview makes you entirely understand why Vigneault was laughing so hard.

 

[Siludin]

For some reason a while go LinkedIn kept trying to connect me with him
Like he'd be one of my top 5 recommendations every time for like a year from 2016-2017 - I dunno why.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

If only MacKinnon could have gotten his mitts on this guy....

 

[AvroArrow]

Anyone else listen to this interview?

To this point I had never heard Wellwood interviewed and I found it pretty entertaining. He shared his views about junior hockey, not working out, not being compliant about his rehab from the major surgeries he had, spoke about Evander Kane.

My main takeaways:

1. Didn't LOVE the game. Mentioned how boring and monotonous the seasons got. Enjoyed the after game partying far more than the actual playing.

2. Super laid back attitude. Quite a cerebral dude with a perspective that most GM's would not love. While you need a bit of it on a team, his laissez-faire attitude could certainly be seen as a distraction.

3. His voice and pronunciation of certain words were quite effeminate.

4. Understood his role on every team, specifically with the power play.

5. Does not watch any hockey currently or since he retired.

I think everyone already knew this before he opened his mouth. Guy could've been great if he actually tried, was always a bit chubby out of shape, out there giggling and playing around.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

I always thought the hardest part of playing in the NHL would be the constant grind it takes season to season.

I almost guarantee some guys out there don’t really care about hockey and just enjoy the paycheque/ lifestyle, which seems to be consistent with what Wellwood is saying.

PLD.

I remember Wellwood being likeable tho. Can't say the same about Mr Dubois