This is a transcrpit from a chat on the St. Louis Blues Website (stlouisblues.com) on March 9, 2001.
Moderator: Brent is here an we are ready to begin the chat!
Question: How old were you when you started playing?
Brent Johnson: I started playing hockey when I was five years old.
Question: Watching you play I've noticed that you have very quick reflexes and are great with your glove. Are there any drills or exercises that you did while growing up, or do today, to develop these skills; or is it from experience, practice, and natural talent?
Brent Johnson: I've always had a quick glove as far back as I can remember. I see lots of shots in practice and I work hard day in and day out.
Question: Do you think the Blues goaltenders are ready for playoff competition?
Brent Johnson: Yes, I think we are definetly ready for the playoffs. There is no doubt in my mind.
Question: What is your opinion of the status of the defensive core of the Blues going into the playoffs?
Brent Johnson: Hopefully they will all be ready to go come playoff time. If not, everyone is pretty confident with who is in the dressing room right now.
Question: Who has the most intimidating shot in the NHL today?
Brent Johnson: I would say Scott Young. He's got a blast coming in from the boards. Fredrk Modin of Tampa Bay is pretty intimidating as well.
Question: How in your view, has the addition of Scott Mellanby affected the team?
Brent Johnson: It's a great acquisition for us. He's a power forward that helps out on the power play and in front of the net.
Question: How's the locker room morale right now?
Brent Johnson: We're all staying upbeat. It's just getting to know everyone again and it's like getting to know a new team. It's kind of tough.
Question: How is that knee you hurt treating you?
Brent Johnson: The knee feels great.
Question: Which Blue scores most on you in practice?
Brent Johnson: Craig Conroy.
Question: Miss you here in Worcester. What is the biggest difference between AHL and NHL hockey?
Brent Johnson: The difference is staying together. There is no downtime here. You're always doing something and don't have many nights off.
Question: Has the absence of Pronger and MacInnis on the blue line changed your strategy?
Brent Johnson: Definetly not. It always stays the same - you always have to be confident with the guys in front of you. I'm pretty sure everything will start coming together.
Question: Hi Brent! Is it hard for you when you don't get to play in consecutive games to keep your rhythm? Good luck against the Wings.
Brent Johnson: Thank you. It's definetly tough staying on top of your game after playing as much as I did last year. But that's the job of backup goalie. I'm pretty much going to have to do my best to start getting used to that.
Question: Will you be in goal against Detroit tomorrow?
Brent Johnson: It's up in the air right now, we're really not sure. We will find out later tonight.
Question: When the Blues are not playing or practicing what do you do for fun?
Brent Johnson: I'm an avid movie and DVD/CD collector. I pretty much listen top music, watch movies, and relax at home.
Question: When do you feel MacInnis will return?
Brent Johnson: I don't know, but I would say hopefully before the playoffs.
Question: Hi Brent, I just wanted to thank you for giving me your autograph a few months ago at the Galleria. I also wanted to know what charaties do you work with and support as most players do?
Brent Johnson: I don't really work with any one particular charity. I love to help cancer charities!
Question: What kind of music do you like?
Brent Johnson: I like rock and roll. Everything from the Doors to the Beatles. My favorite band is Led Zeppelin. I'm into pretty much everything except for country.
Question: Your stick looks as though it has quite a curve, how does it compare to those of other goaltenders in the league? Is it more of a curve and how much? Thanks for chatting with us today and congrats on the season, good luck and happy early birthday.
Brent Johnson: THank you. It's not as bad as ome that I've seen. It's a lot different. It's my own curve that I make myself and helps me get a lot of loft on the puck and shoot it hard at the same time.
Question: How was practice today?
Brent Johnson: It was very good, very long and very tiring.
Question: So far what has been your favorite experience in the NHL?
Brent Johnson: Everydday that I walk into the dressing room and everyday that I am part of this team. Coming together with these guys has been excellent this year!
Question: Is it hard to come in at the middle of the game, like last night?
Brent Johnson: Yes, it's definetly a very tough thing. You're cold and you've been sitting on the bench for a couple hours. Usually on game day the goalie who's not playing gets worked out really hard in the afternoon session. You have to be ready for that situation when it comes around.
Question: Who in your opinion is the best goalie ever to play and recent?
Brent Johnson: Just by watching old game tapes I would definetly say Terry Sawchuk. And for right now there's a lot of really good goaltenders. Someone who has had a lot of influence on me is Ron Hextall and Patrick Roy.
Question: Which save will you remember the longest?
Brent Johnson: No, there's not really any one particular save I can remember a couple of big saves I've made in St. Louis. Maybe a 2 on 0 against Carolina. They passed abck and forth and I made a glove save.
Brent JOhnson: Thank you for joining me online. Wish us luck for the rest of the season. Thank you very much.
Moderator: That concludes our player chat with Brent Johnson.
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