Wanvig answers questions on aeros.com

Jane from Houston
Q: I understand that hockey is a team sport, but what do you think you need to do to get the Aeros into the playoffs?
KW: Right now I feel as though we should be in the playoffs if we keep playing like we have been. We really want to get home ice so we can play those first three games in Houston. It’ll also be nice to get Rickard (Wallin), Stephane (Veilleux) and Zbynek (Michalek) back hopefully. Personally I just need to stay consistent.

Malia from Houston
Q: Do spectators/fans affect team performance? I'm just wondering whether the level of play is influenced positively and/or negatively but the # of fans in attendance, their level of enthusiasm and volume. What can we do to help?
KW: The fans affect us especially the way I play. I’m a guy who thrives on momentum and intensity. If the crowd’s into the game, it excites me from the get go. I seem to always play better when I’m in the game too and the fans are intense. I love it.
Q: You've been one of my favorite Aeros over the last few seasons and our table was fortunate to have you as our Celebrity Waiter at the Warwick this year. If you could sit down to a relaxing dinner, what would it be? Do you cook?
KW: Yes, I cook. I love to cook actually. I had to learn to at a young age because my parents weren’t around much. Now I have a girlfriend though that does most of the cooking. I try to eat fairly healthy…fish, some green beans and rice, a good healthy dinner. I’m just like everyone else though, if I want McDonald’s once in awhile I’ll go.

Robin from Houston
Q: Although I wasn't in San Antonio last Friday night, I was listening to the webcast and have to tell you - you have a great sense of humor for giving Cully (Mark Cullen) a peck on the cheek when the "Kiss-Cam" was on you! Since Cully scored a goal just a few minutes later, can we count on you to pucker up every game?
KW: It’s a funny story really. First I asked Hoggie (Jeff Hoggan) and he said don’t you dare. I turned to Cully and he said “Yeah, sure, I don’t believe it.” So right when the Kiss Cam came up I reached over and grabbed him and gave him a big peck on the cheek. After that he said he really wasn’t that surprised I did it. I said “It’s a good thing I did give you a kiss, because you scored a lucky goal.”

Melanie from Sugar Land
Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment on or off the ice? If you weren't a hockey player, what would you be doing?
KW: One time in juniors I had my head down and shot into my own wide open net. We were down a goal at the time. It was pretty embarrassing. If I wasn’t playing hockey…I grew up playing baseball. I had to make the decision at 14. In Canada you don’t make it as a baseball player. My choice would probably to be a pro baseball player. But realistically, I’d probably want to be something sensible like a firefighter. My dad and uncle are firefighters. It’s good work.

Erin and Caroline from Spring
Q: Hey Kyle...Do you have any pre-game superstitions/rituals?
KW: I’m not really a superstitious guy, but I can be really obsessive. I’m a basic eat your lunch, sleep and go to the game guy. I like to tape my sticks a certain way though and if I scored the game before I’ll usually do it the same way.

Erika from Dulles
Q: Howdy Kyle! I've got a couple of questions for you...what kind of car do you drive? And what is your favorite food? Also, who's your favorite teammate? Thank you.
KW: I drive a Cadillac Escalade. I like it, I’ve had it for a couple years now. My favorite food…that’s tough, because I probably like food more than anyone else on Earth. Vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate I’d say. My favorite teammate is tough too…Not too many team have as many friendships as this team has. The guys I spend a lot of my time with are Dan Cavanaugh, Marc Cavosie, Kevin Mitchell and Stephane Veilleux. Steph’s my best friend.

Erika from Houston
Q: What is your favorite color and also your favorite ice cream flavor?
KW: My favorite color is blue and I like vanilla ice cream

Morgan from Houston
Q: When you have been called up to The Show, what are the biggest adjustments that you have to make in your game? By the way, the Wanny, DC (Dan Cavanaugh) and Billy (Tibbetts) line is a great combination, 110% heart every shift. Great teamwork!
KW: The biggest difference in the NHL is the speed, you have to be faster. Guys like DC don’t bring you down (laughs as Cavanaugh walks by). It’s definitely a notch up the belt. You have to turn it up a little more. The guys are all just a little more fast and also bigger.

Dave from Clear Lake
Q: How do you deal with all the traveling during the season, and also what do you do in your free time to relax?
KW: Traveling takes a lot out of you, especially flying. A guy like me needs his sleep and when I don’t get the proper amount of sleep, I get sore. But it’s also an advantage. It’s tough but part of the game. In my free time I spend time with my girlfriend. We go to movies, lay out by the pool. The weather here in Houston is awesome. I also like to golf.

Brenda from Conroe
Q: Hey Kyle. You've had one heck of a season this time around and I for one have been very impressed with the discipline that you have shown on the ice. What factors do you feel contribute to the success that you have had this year and what changes do you plan to make to help improve for next season?
KW: I want to be in the best possible shape possible come training camp. My goal is to make the Wild. If I play back here in Houston, I want to increase my goals, get over 30, and get 50 or 60 points. I will work on my speed. I need to get as quick as possible.

Eva from Rosenberg
Q: Hey Kyle! First of all let me say I think you are an awesome hockey player! Thanks for this season! :) I would like to know who do you think has been the biggest rival this season? Who is your favorite player to play with and who would be your favorite to play against? Also, on the road, which city do you like most?
KW: The biggest rival in my mind is Chicago. I have a real hatred towards them since I got here. As long as I’m in the AHL that’ll be my biggest rival. Stephane Veilleux is my favorite player to play with. We’re very close both on and off the ice. He’s probably the player I like playing against too, in practice. Whenever there’s a one on one drill we make sure we go against each other. My favorite road city…If I wasn’t from Houston I’d say Houston because everyone loves to come here. I’d have to say up East, places like Hartford where we don’t usually get to see. It’s always good going to Massachusetts and Connecticut.