Steve: Dan, this is going to be your second interview with the Bucs. Is this your last year with the Bucs?

Dan: Well, I could come back until December. My birthday is in December; I will turn 21 then. It’s not going to happen. I’m going to go on to college next year.

Steve: So this will be your last year with the Bucs. Do you have any plans for the future?

Dan: Right now just college. I’m not sure where I’m going to go. I mean, I am talking to Colorado College right now but that is mostly a money issue, so I don’t know what that is. I will find out later.

Steve: Have you visited Colorado College?

Dan: No, not yet. I am supposed to.

Steve: So you said it is a money issue? It is expensive to go there, I would imagine.

Dan: Oh, yeah. Really expensive.

Steve: So it would have to be a scholarship or you wouldn’t be able to play there, right?

Dan: Yeah. Well, we are looking into financial aid but I’m not sure what that is. We get that back later.

Steve: I notice you have an NMU hockey hat on. How about playing for them?

Dan: Oh, I don’t know. I just stole it from Jimmy! I didn’t have a hat to wear so I took it. I haven’t given it back yet.

Steve: If Colorado College does not work out, do you have any other options?

Dan: If not there, most likely somewhere in Minnesota. I am not sure yet.

Steve: Let’s talk about this season first. You guys have had a tremendous, tremendous run. Why do you think you guys are doing so good?

Dan: I don’t know. I was thinking about that. I mean, it is a different team than last year - we were good last year but now it is like, we connected more last year, I think. This year we have so much skill on our team. I mean, I don’t know really what it is. I think it is skill and, I don’t know, a lot of people get along. It is just fun to play this year a lot more. I mean, it seemed harder last year. It could be maybe because it’s my second year but I’m not sure.

Steve: So when you said last year you connected better.

Dan: I don’t know. I guess everybody got along last year, I think, more. Now it’s kind of a mixed up team this year. It’s no big deal though. We didn’t have much skill last year; it was more of a grinding team. Now it’s just like flying, goal scoring kind of play that we do now.

Steve: So let’s talk about last year’s team a little bit then as long as you’re on the subject. You went into the playoffs really hot, you swept Green Bay.

Dan: And Lincoln.

Steve: Green Bay and Lincoln. And then you ran into Omaha. What happened there?

Dan: I don’t know what it was. I guess they just caught us off guard. I guess we got big heads, I would have to say. We were kind of expecting to just come in there and play and win it all, and they came ready to play and a lot harder than us. I don’t know, I guess we were already ready to get the Clark Cup before we had it.

Steve: And then you went into Billings and you guys did a complete turnaround.

Dan: Oh, yeah.

Steve: What happened?

Dan: That is the national tournament, you know, you don’t have many chances to screw up so you have got to play and we were ready to play. It was a great time there.

Steve: Was it fun playing those games up in Billings.

Dan: It was really fun. I mean, it is worth it, you know, to work but it is unreal. I mean, it is an experience I will never forget.

Steve: How about this year looking forward to the tournament? I think in four more games now you will clinch the championship. Is that on your mind?

Dan: Oh, yeah, definitely. I am sure it is on everybody’s minds, you know. We can do it. We will do it and give it another round at the championship. I am not sure how we will do, but we have a good chance to win them all.

Steve: Of the teams you have played this year, which team do you think is the toughest to play?

Dan: Omaha, definitely.

Steve: Why would you say that?

Dan: They’re pretty much just like us. They have got speed, you know, they can score and they never give up. They’re a championship team too. They know how to win.

Steve: Talk a little bit about your development this year versus last year. You said that maybe it is because this is your second year and you maybe have gotten better. Do you feel that you have improved over the year, or how has your hockey developed over the last year?

Dan: I guess, I don’t know, just playing a little smarter, you know. I can see things a lot easier than last year. I mean, it is more play making this year. Last year it was just a dump it in, change kind of thing because you didn’t want to screw up. But now, I mean, you kind of know what is going to happen and what’s going on, so it’s a little easier to make decisions.

Steve: As you head off to college, do you have any idea what you would like to do as far as a major or that type of thing?

Dan: It is not positive, but I am looking somewhere along the lines of business. Business management maybe. I am not positive; it could change.

Steve: Once you get out of college, where would you like to end up? Is there any special area of the country you would like to go to?

Dan: I have no idea. I haven’t seen any of the country besides right around here. I have done most of my traveling since I came here. It’s not like I have been anywhere. Once I see those places I will decide, I guess.

Steve: Well, is there anything else you would like to tell the fans? This is your last interview.

Dan: Well, I guess I would like to thank all the fans for the support they gave us this year and last year. I mean, these are probably the best fans in the league and, you know, I am proud to have them. It is great. You can get along with a lot of them. And just thanks for everything they have done.