Q & A: Luch Nasato

Rob Way
Jan 18, 2004

Courtesy of OHL Tough Guys

Luch Nasato is just one of those guys. You know the kind - you love him if he plays on your team; you despise him if he doesn't.

What you might not know is that unlike some tough guys, he's also a fine player. Don't believe me? Check the stats. Still don't believe me? Consider this: since graduating from the OHL's Barrie Colts in 1998, Nasato has won three league championships in the past four years.

Not too shabby huh?

Over the holidays, I was able to make contact with Nasato and set up the following interview. Ever the crowd pleaser, Luch was more than happy to talk hockey; both its ups and downs. Enjoy!

Rob: Hi ya Luch. Thanks for making this possible.

Luch: No problem Rob. As most people know, I love talking hockey!

Rob: Okay, so let's start with some general hockey questions, shall we?

Luch: Fine by me!

Rob: When did you decide you wanted to be a hockey player?

Luch: I knew I wanted to be a hockey player the day I played my first game. I think I was 4 years old.

Rob: At what point did you get serious about playing hockey?

Luch: Probably when I was 9 or 10 years old. That was when I started playing hockey in the summer as well as in the winter.

Rob: Were there any OHL teams in particular that you were hoping to play for?

Luch: Yeah, I did. I was hoping to go either to Kitchener or Guelph because they were close to home.

Rob: Who did you score your first career OHL goal against and what kind of goal was it?

Luch: It was in a game against London, in Kitchener. It was a tip-in goal, in front.

Rob: How did you get from Kitchener to Barrie, were you traded or was it the expansion draft? What was that like switching teams?

Luch: I was picked up in the expansion draft and it was the best thing that could have happened because I didn't have much of a chance to play in Kitchener. Barrie gave me a chance right away and I ran with it.

Rob: It seemed like you were instantly popular there in Barrie, why was that?

Luch: Well, I just worked hard every game and the fans noticed it and took to it. Oh, and I liked to fight!

Rob: After establishing yourself in the league, you had two fine campaigns in 96/97 (45 points) and 97/98 (69 points). Was it just a matter of confidence?

Luch: Yes, confidence was huge but I also got a chance to play on the power play - and I was out there almost every 2nd shift.

Rob: That 97/98 team finished second in the central and featured a trio of first round NHL picks - Daniel Tkachuk, Brian Finley, and Michael Henrich - tell me about them, and the team.

Luch: Danny Tkachuk was young and the coach put him right into a leadership role which I think hurt him. Brian Finley was a great goalie and was a huge part of our team. He had the biggest rookie impact. Henrich was very skilled but didn't come to play every night and Burt snapped on him a lot.

Rob: Since losing in the first round that season, you’ve been playing professional hockey. What’s the main difference between "pro" and "major junior A"?

Luch: Honestly, the difference is age and size. Guys are men and not kids anymore. They don't make as many mistakes because they are more mature.

Rob: With Memphis the last couple of seasons, you got some quality TV time here in Canada on Leafs TV. What was that like for your friends and family back home?

Luch: That was awesome! Of everyone, my dad enjoyed it the best. He is my biggest fan.

Rob: Excellent Luch, here's where we switch gears and focusing strictly on fighting!

Luch: I thought you'd never ask!

Rob: What do you remember about your first ever OHL fight?

Luch: My first fight came on my first shift vs. Guelph against Joel Cort. It was not a very good one though - more wrestling than anything. You might like to know that my second shift was a line brawl and a suspension!

Rob: Did any of the older guys teach you how to handle yourself, or did you just figure it out as it went?

Luch: I just learned on my own; I think if you get taught you think too much and that is when you take a beating.

Rob: At 5'11", you’re not small, but not big either. How did your size help or hurt you when you fought against the 6'3" and 6'4" guys?

Luch: In junior, it helped me because I could get in close and punch upwards. When I went pro the guys were stronger and they could hold me out.

Rob: I only have a couple of your fights on video, but the two in particular looked pretty funny. It’s a game in Sudbury and you fought Scott Page twice. Both times your jersey came up and over so you’re waltzing around barechested, smiling, and blowing voodoo finger kisses to the crowd. Was this type of thing all an act, or are you really just that kind of a fun-loving, let’s put on a good show, person?

Luch: I love to put on a show, which I think is another reason why fans seem to like me. Sometimes though I just snap and that is what I do after a fight.

Rob: Who would you say, in retrospect, was your toughest ever OHL fight against?

Luch: Chris Neil, who is now playing for Ottawa in the NHL. He had a big target but you couldn't hurt him.

Rob: What are some of the better fights you had in the O, and do you have an absolute favourite?

Luch: Lance Galbraith, Chris Neil and Scott Page are some of the guys I knew I was going to fight before most games. My best was my first game back in Kitchener vs. Doyle. He was about 6'2" or 6'3" and I split him open pretty good in front of the Kitchener fans.

Rob: Was there ever a fight where you got hurt bad, or the guy you were going against did?

Luch: I broke my orbital bone from a good left by a guy in Saginaw. I think it was my 2nd or 3rd year pro. I was out for a month. That hurt!

Rob: What’s fighting like now that you’re in the pro ranks?

Luch: Now that I'm getting older, I'm in less and less fights each year. Plus, I am playing a bigger role on my team's defence now.

Rob: A career high 304 PIMs in 2000/01, that’s impressive! I don’t suppose they were all tripping minors though were they?

Luch: That was a year after my first championship and we struggled. We got blown out a lot, and when that happens, you have to make a statement.

Rob: Last question, hypothetical in nature: is there any one fighter out there, still playing or maybe even retired, that you just wish you could get your hands on?

Luch: Not sure. I would like to see how Chris Neil and I would do now. I'm sure he would get the upper hand, but we had such good tilts before it would just be fun, you know, for old time's sake!

Rob: Awesome Luch, all the best to ya this season.

Luch: Thanks, Rob. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

Rob: Will do!

hockeyfights.com thanks OHL Tough Guys, and Luch Nasato

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