CHRISTIAN DVORAK
Position: Forward, Arizona Coyotes
Hometown: Palos, Ill.
Acquired: Coyotes’ second-round selection (58th overall) in 2014 NHL Draft
Last Amateur Team: London Knights (Ontario Hockey League)
Age: 21

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Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up?
Christian Dvorak: I would say winning the Memorial Cup (with the OHL’s London Knights in 2016). That was pretty special moment there, so I remember that pretty good. Then growing up as a kid watching the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup. That was pretty cool, especially being from Illinois.

AZR: What’s your favorite memory in the game since leaving junior hockey?
CD: That’s tough. I would probably say getting my first NHL goal, I guess. That’s always a pretty special moment. The goal was against Nashville and Pekka Rinne. It was pretty cool to get it against a top-tier goalie.

AZR: Who have been the biggest influences on you, on and off the ice?
CD: I would say my dad. He has always been great for me, always on me and giving me positives and negatives. He’s always there to help me out, so he’s been great. Obviously, I wouldn’t be here without him.

AZR: What’s the best piece of advice you have for young hockey players?
CD: Just have fun and work hard. I mean, having fun out there is important and if you do that, you also have to work hard to be successful.

AZR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play?
CD: Played baseball as a kid and played golf for fun. Those would probably be the other two sports that I like.

AZR: Do you have any superstitions?
CD: No, nothing too crazy. I try not to get into superstitions or anything like that. You can go crazy trying to remember all that stuff, and I try and stay away from all that.

AZR: What does your game-day routine look like?
CD: I’ll go to the rink for a pre-game skate. After that, I go and grab some lunch and then take an hour-and-a-half nap. Then come to the rink about three hours before the game.

AZR: Do you have a favorite meal or restaurant here in the Phoenix area?
CD: There are a couple good restaurants. There’s Mastro’s Ocean Club (in Scottsdale) and that’s one of my favorites. And a few good steak houses.

AZR: What are some essential items you take on a road trip?
CD: Just the standard stuff, nothing too crazy. Obviously, all the clothes you need, and a few pairs of shoes. Nothing too out of the norm.

AZR: Did you have a favorite hockey player growing up?
CD: From Illinois, I was a big Blackhawks fan. Jonathan Toews was my favorite player growing up. He’s great player to watch, and I try to pattern my game after him.

Photo/Norm Hall

– Compiled by Mark Brown

(Dec. 13, 2017)