One on One with Defenseman Clayton Stoner
By Michael McHugh
Aeros.com Junior Reporter
MM: If you were to get a tattoo what would it be and why?
CS: I already have one on my shoulder blade and its a little design I made. It has a maple leaf to represent my country.
MM: Do you have any superstitions?
CS: I have a couple of superstitions. Some I’d rather not talk about, but one is when I get dressed I like to put my left gear on first. I’ll tie my left skate before my right skate, so that’s one thing I make sure I do every day.
MM: On the Aeros, who could you arm wrestle and beat?
CS: Oh, what kind of question is that? [laughs, looking around] Who could I beat? Our goalie Kopriva. I could beat him.
MM: Who could beat you?
CS: My roommate, Billy Kinkel could beat me.
MM: Who is the best player you have played with and why do you feel that way?
CS: I think the best all around player I’ve played with is Rem Murray He’s played a few years in the NHL and he’s not real flashy out there but he’s really smart and he teaches me a lot about the game and I have a lot of respect for him.
MM: Who do you think is the most admired person on your team?
CS: Our most looked up to person on our team is our captain, Kirby Law. He has all the respect from all the players in the locker room and he’s a good guy to have on your team.
MM: What’s the best thing about playing hockey?
CS: The best thing about playing hockey is the feeling after you win a game and the buzzer sounds and you fell like you’ve played your best. It’s a great feeling throughout the whole team.
MM: Biggest career highlight?
CS: Probably in Junior Hockey. We didn’t win a championship but we laid everything on the line and went far in the playoffs and everyone gave it all that they had and that was probably my best moment.
MM: Did you know you wanted to become a hockey player growing up?
CS: Oh yeah, when I was young I grew up just dreaming about hockey and playing hockey in my garage and pretending I was Mario Lemieux. I knew I wanted to be a hockey player.
MM: Where do you live in the offseason?
CS: I live on Vancouver Island. I live with my mom and dad every summer when I go home. I have two brothers. One goes to school in Scotland and one works for my dad’s company back home.
MM: What kind of activities did you do as a kid?
CS: I love fishing, I love the outdoors. I also like camping. It’s beautiful up there and fishing is my passion.
MM: If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?
CS: Besides you? Probably Wayne Gretzky, like everyone. Wayne Gretzky is the Great One so it would be rude to pick anyone else.
MM: What is your greatest strength as a player?
CS: Being able to read the ice and being in the right position. I’m not a fast skater so I try to play strong defensively, so my defensive play is my strong point.
MM: What would you be doing if you were not a hockey player?
CS: That’s a tough question because I’ve been trying to be a hockey player my whole life. I definitely want to go to school. I’d like to be a policeman or a firefighter because it’s a good job and you can keep active as a firefighter and policeman .
MM: Who is the last person you called on your cell phone?
CS: The last person I called on my cell phone was a buddy who I played hockey with in Juniors, and his name is Logan Stephenson and he is one of my best friends.
MM: What did you have for dinner last night?
CS: I had Pasta. Chicken Alfredo.
MM: What TV show has you hooked?
CS: Well, we just got cable a week ago, but a TV show that I really love is Seinfeld. It’s a classic show.
MM: Last good Movie
CS: Saw II. It was pretty gross but it was good.
MM: Who did you last buy flowers for?
CS: [laughs] Flowers are not really my thing, but the last time I bought them was last Mother’s Day.
MM: What are you least skilled out?
SC: I would say probably my skating.
MM: What is your worst habit?
CS: Staying up too late, watching TV. I like to stay up late then go to bed. Like 2 in the morning or something.
