09-15-2006, 11:53 PM
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Q & A: Brad Wingfield
Here's an interview that me (Patrick Gribben) and Adam Waugh conducted with soon to be LNAH tough guy, Brad Wingfield. For those who don't know already, Brad will be playing for Sherbrooke this upcoming season.
First off, I would like to send a special thanks out to Brad for taking some time out of his day to do this interview for us. It was much appreciated
Winger's revenge
Enjoy the interview. Hump&Crunch: At what age did you first start playing hockey? Also, when you think back, what first attracted you to the sport itself? Wingfield: I was 3 yrs old when I first learned to skate, and I first played organized hockey when I was around 8 yrs old. My dad was also a huge hockey fan and made me attracted to the sport as well. Q: As a hockey player, what about fighting and the role of Enforcer do you enjoy the most? A: I enjoy the fighting part of the game because of the personal challenge and the respect that is given and received. Being an enforcer is a tough job that not many guys wanna do. Q: What are your thoughts on the Instigator Rule? In your opinion, throughout your career how much has it held you back from playing your role? A: I don't really like the instigator role, however I don't think it has affected me throughout my career. If something had to be taken care of, I would just take care of it and not worry about the extra penalties. Q: Which would you say has been the most memorable fight of your career thus far? How'd the fight go, and what do you remember most about it? A: My most memorable fight was probably with Louie DeBrusk. I remember him having the upper hand but it was a fairly even fight that went on for a while and finished standing. It was early in my career and it was my first IHL game, and DeBrusk was just sent down from Tampa Bay. Q: For you, how would you best describe the experience of playing for the Elmira Jackals in 2001-02? A: My experience with Elmira was an interesting one. It's not a very nice place, but I met alot of good people while I was there. Overall I enjoyed the quality teams that were put together there and getting the experience to play in the AHL and try out with the Columbus Blue Jackets. I had even my best statistical season of my career there, and had a opportunity to play a ton. Q: During the 2001-02 season, you were teammates with Shawn Legault, someone who in an interview called you a fighter with a "sketchy character". For you, what was it like to be teammates with Shawn? A: It was great to be teammates with Shawn Legault, he's a great guy. He's super tough, and a very skilled fighter and we've become good friends. Q: According to an interview I conducted with former Trasher Jon Mirasty, you and him "didn’t see eye to eye at first, but as time passed we became good friends". In the beginning why didn't you and Jon get along, and what are your thoughts on Jon now? A: I'm not to sure why me and John didn't see eye to eye in the beginning. It wasn't exactly a big deal, it was just some type of misunderstanding. My thoughts on John now is that he's a very good friend of mine, a great guy and an extremely skilled fighter. Q: During the 2001-02 UHL season, you played for the Elmira Jackals, which in that particular season you scored 17 goals and accumulated 472 minutes in penalties, all in the span of 49 games. For you, how would best describe the level of toughness in that particular UHL season, compared to the United Hockey League of 2005-06, where fighting was down 46%? A: The United Hockey League in 2001-2002 I thought was a lot better all around than the present UHL. During that period it was a lot tougher, a lot meaner and lot more old-school than it is now. I guess like all the other leagues, its evolving and moving away from the physical play (besides the LNAH). Q: In your opinion, what are your thoughts on the future of the United Hockey League, along with the direction Richard Brosel and Brad Jones is taking league in regards to old-time hockey and fighting? A: In my opinion, the UHL is a solid hockey league like the CHL and ECHL, it's just evolving and moving away from fighting, but is building a better brand of skilled hockey. I think Brosel and Jones are doing a fine job at running the UHL. For me its just a league that I no longer want to be involved with. Q: During that 2004-05, the Trashers were considered one of the toughest minor league teams since the days of Slapshot. When you think back, how do you think teams felt about playing you, and how much of an intimidation factor did Danbury have in the UHL? A: Danbury definitely had a tough team in 04-05, and yeah, I don't think any of the teams really wanted to play us that year. Intimidation was a big factor for the Trashers that season, but not enough for them to hand over the league championship, though. Q: When the Chad Wagner / Marc Potvin incident happened, what were your thoughts on it? Also, what did you think about the league's reaction to it? A: I actually thought it was pretty funny when Wagner went after Potvin. It was pretty entertaining, but I had a feeling that Wagner would get a pretty severe penalty for what he did, though I never thought that he would get a lifetime suspension from UHL. Q: On December 3rd of 2005, you were finally able to give a receipt to Josh Elzinga, the player who injured you intentionally and almost ended your career the year before. For you, what was it like to get revenge that night, and do you wish you could have done more? A: It felt great to get back at Elzinga. Obviously anytime you can get back at someone that cheap shots you or one of your teammates it feels real good. But I would have liked to have seen him leaving the ice on a stretcher or in bodybag, though. Q: Overall, how would you best describe the experience of playing two seasons for the Danbury Trashers and their fans? A: I loved playing in Danbury, its probably my favorite place I've played. The fans were awesome, and the ownership and the organization treated me and my family real well, and we enjoyed our time there. Q: For you, what was it like playing in the atmosphere of the Danbury Ice Arena? A: Playing at the Danbury ice arena was always exciting because of the small capacity and the atmosphere provided the fans to be right on top of you, especially Section 102. They were just the best and craziest fans I ever had a chance to play for, and they definitely made it alot of fun. Q: In the United Hockey League, which were the types of players that you least respected? A: In the UHL, the types of players that I least respected were the same guys I least respect anywhere in hockey. Which are the guys that run their mouths and won't back it up. I also don't respect the ones that take cheap shots or play like ******* on the road and act tough at home (Blue Bennefield). Q: Since becoming a Father, how has it affected the way you play the role of Enforcer? A: Not much has changed along the lines of being an enforcer except maybe the mindset that I better due the job well, 'cause I have another mouth to feed. Q: Seeing that you've signed with Sherbrooke - What are you looking forward to most about playing in the LNAH next season? A: I looking forward to playing with a Championship team and hoping that we will repeat as champions. Also just getting a chance to see all the top notch tough guys fight and getting a chance to fight them myself. Q: Over your career you've garnered the hockey nickname of "Wingnut". Do you mind the reputation you have? A: No, not at all. I actually like being called "Wingnut". I don't mind my reputation. It is what it is, and I am what I am. Q: Coming from the CHL and UHL, you have a solid rep of being a very tough fighter. You'll now be playing in what most consider to be the toughest league on Earth, in the LNAH. In your opinion, how much do you feel you'll have to prove yourself? A: I believe the LNAH is the toughest hockey league in the world, and because of that I'm excited to get a chance to experience it first hand. I don't feel like have to prove anything to myself, for I know what I am capable of. At the same time it will be a great challenge and I look forward to it. Q: Now that you're going to be playing in the LNAH, in your opinion, how do you feel you'll need to alter your style of play, mentality or approach now that you'll be playing in such a tough environment? A: I just feel that I won't have to run around trying to get guys to fight or make people fight, it will be alot easier than that. I know all I have to do is ask and there will be a fight. In a way, it will make my job a bit easier. Q: In the LNAH, is there anyone you feel you'll need to challange? A: Off the top of my head, I don't think I need to challenge anyone. That might change once we hit the ice. As of right now, its pretty far from my mind, so time will tell. Last edited by Humpzilla; 01-23-2014 at 12:31 PM. 
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09-16-2006, 01:31 AM
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I always liked watching him play, although the River Otters didn't play the eastern teams he was on too much. I thought it was kind of funny when Danbury played at Missouri this past March, he ran around a little and Matt Suderman dropped the gloves with him. The fight was a pretty even draw, when the linesmen stepped in, Wingfield gave the old championship belt around his waist signal and I thought, who did he think he was fighting, it was a draw with Matt Suderman, not even the Otters best fighter.
Last edited by Kimblefan29; 09-16-2006 at 01:33 AM.
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09-16-2006, 01:54 AM
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Why didn't you ask him about the seagull incident in Toronto??? Grow a set.
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Ace22 (08-11-2013) | ||
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09-16-2006, 09:11 AM
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Good read- thanks for posting the interview.
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09-18-2006, 09:03 PM
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Nice to hear someone like Wingfield's feelings on things. He should fit right in the LNAH.
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The above post may contain sarcasm. Brashear beat your favorite fighter. Undisputed top 5 all time.
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09-18-2006, 10:03 PM
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Quote:
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09-19-2006, 11:52 AM
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Quote:
I linked to here from the ITB forum. They trashed the thread in a day. Had almost 400 reads until the "kids" got into trouble with it. thanks Hump for doing these- great insight that no one else offers up.
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We dare you to bring an illegal stick into our barn Go Jackals! Welcome Back Danbury Hockey! Last edited by HockeyDad04; 09-19-2006 at 11:55 AM.
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08-10-2013, 07:11 PM
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Great Interview..
Brad played in the UK for a while and fought some tough guys like Louis Bedard , Daniel Lacroix and Eric Lavigne . I'm looking forward to seeing how he does in the LNAH.
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01-23-2014, 10:44 AM
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SI brought up the Winger, "Body bag" quote here, sans any ****ing credit to me and Crunch:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...54/1/index.htm Quote:
Me and Crunch: On December 3rd of 2005, you were finally able to give a receipt to Josh Elzinga, the player who injured you intentionally and almost ended your career the year before. For you, what was it like to get revenge that night, and do you wish you could have done more? Brad Wingfield: It felt great to get back at Elzinga. Obviously anytime you can get back at someone that cheap shots you or one of your teammates it feels real good. But I would have liked to have seen him leaving the ice on a stretcher or in bodybag, though. Last edited by Humpzilla; 01-23-2014 at 12:26 PM.
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