Arizona Rubber

Arizona’s and New Mexico’s Authoritative Voice of Ice and Inline Hockey

Taking Liberties With… Max Domi

 

MAX DOMI
Position: Left Wing, Arizona Coyotes
Acquired: Coyotes’ first-round pick (12th overall) in 2013 NHL Entry Draft
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (born in Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Last Amateur Team: London Knights (OHL)
Age: 21

Arizona Rubber: No one wants to be sent back to juniors, but what did you learn last season? Were you disappointed? Did you become a better hockey player?
Max Domi: I learned a lot, obviously. Drafted as an 18-year-old kid, you learn a lot about yourself. You’re one step closer to achieving your dream to play in the NHL. It’s just a matter of finding where you need to polish up and to work on to make that big step to the NHL. That is a pretty big step from junior to the NHL. I mean, I went back, took it in stride, and with all the teammates I had and the coaching staff in junior, I was able to make the jump. Still have a long way to go here, but I’m having a lot of fun.

AZR: Talk about the energy and spark that you and Anthony Duclair bring to the Coyotes.
MD: We talk about this a lot. Our relationship off the ice is a big reason and we play pretty good together on the ice. When we’re not playing together, it a matter of keeping your linemates feeling nice and young and happy to be out there. We’re both pretty happy kids and like to win, too. Playing with a couple of older veteran guys is something that we cherish a lot and take a lot of pride in. Playing with (Mikkel) Boedker and (Antoine) Vermette, two guys that have been in the league for so long, so I kind of followed suit and learn from them every single day. They’re great linemates and for me personally, I try and help them out as much as possible and try and help the team.

AZR: People are pulling for you in fighting diabetes. What do you tell them? How did (former NHL star) Bobby Clarke become your idol?
MD: When I was diagnosed, the first question I asked was, “Can I still play hockey?” The doctor said “yes” and I didn’t let anything else phase me. It’s second nature to me now and part of my lifestyle. I had to make a couple of adjustments and change a couple of things, but I figured it out along the way. I was fortunate to meet Bobby Clarke a couple months after I was diagnosed, and realized how much he could do for me. He told me I would live with that and stay positive. Now, there is so much stuff they have now for the disease and tried to take that. I try and implement that into my life as much as possible, and help all the other kids that I come across.

AZR: Everyone is gearing up for the stretch drive. What will it take to create separation between the Coyotes and other playoff contenders?
MD: The biggest thing for us is take things game by game and treat each NHL game like it’s a playoff game. It’s something that’s very doable and we all believed that even before the year started. It’s a matter of keeping that confidence in the room and pushing each other along the way. We want to continue to grow as a group and that’s what it’s all about. We have one final stretch and hopefully, we can make it happen.

Photo/Getty Images

– Compiled by Mark Brown

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