From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Thursday, January 6, 2005
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

John Erskine Q&A session

Aeros defenseman John Erskine recently answered questions submitted through www.aeros.com.

Tory from Minnesota
Q: How do you prepare for possible fight opponents? Videos/DVDs? Do you keep a scouting report on guys?
A: I don’t really keep a scouting report, but you always know if the guy’s a righty or a lefty and his fighting style. You ask guys on your team that maybe played with him how he fights.

Ellie
Q: Dear Johnny - Any new tattoos since you left Dallas?
A: I got one this past summer on my left shoulder. Nothing special. I just added a few things.

Robin from Sugar Land
Q: John, some fans say that opponents will try to target an injured part of a player. Say you have been out with a shoulder injury. Do you find that opponents try to re-injure you or hit in that area?
A: I wouldn’t say they try and re-injure you. Usually these days injuries are kept down pretty low so no one finds out about it.

Eva
Q: Do you have a favorite opponent? Why? Thanks! Keep up the good work!
A: I don’t really have one. I like playing against old friends. It makes you play harder. You want to always stop them or hit them through the boards a bit harder, just for fun.

Michael
Q: Being a physical player (which I appreciate as a part of the game) compare the level of physical play between the AHL and the NHL.
A: I’d say they are about the same probably. The only difference is in the NHL, you’re playing more or less against grown men, guys who have grown into their body more and maybe a bit more solid.

Jim from Pasadena
Q: Have you ever played roller hockey? Do you keep "back up" skates in case of emergencies?
A: I played roller hockey when I was 11 or 12. These days it’s so competitive you’re basically on the ice all year round. You don’t have time for roller hockey. Trainers always keep back up skates for every guy on the team in case something goes wrong.

Ashley:
Q: Why do you always listen to headphones before the game?
A: It helps you focus, to go in your own zone and focus on the game better. It gets me pumped up. I listen to everything from country music to heavy metal to old school like Led Zeppelin.

Pete from Houston
Q: Does Houston's climate affect your play positively, negatively, or not at all. Do you find it hard to focus when it's 70 degrees and sunny in December, or is warm winter weather a nice perk of playing hockey in the sunbelt?
A: I wouldn’t find it hard to focus when it’s nice outside. The only thing is when it’s that warm down here, the rinks are warmer than they would be in Canada, so the ice is a lot softer. It’s harder to play in that aspect.

Garry from Ontario (Note: Garry is John Erskine’s dad)
Q: I would like to know how big a fish he really did catch this past summer?
A: In our lake the biggest fish is maybe six pounds. I beat him this year. I caught one about 3 ½ pounds, but my fiancée took trophy with a four pounder. She beat us all.

Scott from Pearland
Q: Who’s the best fighter you have gone against?
A: In the AHL, Kip Brennan in Chicago. I haven’t fought him in the AHL, but we used to fight all the time in junior. He’s one of the tougher guys in the league. In the NHL, my very first year, I fought Georges Laraque. I did pretty well against him.

Stay tuned to www.aeros.com for your chance to vote for the next Q&A subject.


---HOUSTON AEROS, BE A FAN---