Inferno Interview - Andrew Hotham

19th Aug 2014 | Posted by The Inferno

A new face on the Devils blueline this season is 6'2" Ontario native, Andrew Hotham. Hotham was three-times all-star, league MVP and Defenceman of the Year in the Canadian Universities league and has had a number of AHL callups including 24 games for Oklahoma in the 2012-13 season.

The-Inferno - How and when did you get involved in Ice Hockey?

Andrew Hotham - I started playing Ice Hockey when I was five years old because my dad and brother were already playing and I wanted to be like them.


The-Inferno - What attracted you to the UK? Did you know much about the league and UK Hockey in general before you were approached by the Devils?

Andrew Hotham - I didn't know very much about UK hockey other than I have some friends that have played in the UK. They spoke very highly of the league and I was excited to have a good challenge playing this year.


The-Inferno - You've played on the same team as Andrew Lord before, did he have to do much to convince you Cardiff was the best place to play this season in the EIHL?

Andrew Hotham - I have actually never played with Andrew Lord before. He played in Wheeling the year before I did and in Oklahoma City the year before also. However we have played with some of the same players and they spoke very highly of him and that was a big reason I decided to sign in Cardiff.


The-Inferno - Every import we have so far is Canadian! Is there anyone besides Lord that you've played with before on the roster, or in the wider league?

Andrew Hotham - I have not played with anyone before but I have played against most of our imports within North America so it will be fun to finally be on the same team. I also skate with Carl Hudson at home in the summer time so it will be nice to know a friendly face.


The-Inferno - Have you had a chance to look at the league and the rivalries that the Devils have in the Elite League as yet ? If so do you have any thoughts?

Andrew Hotham - I have heard a lot about the rivalry with Coventry and I'm looking forward to getting into a game against them. Although this year there will be a lot of great games as it looks like a lot of teams have made good signings. All the games are going to be exciting to be apart of.


The-Inferno - Can you give us an insight into what Devils fans can expect from yourself?

Andrew Hotham - They can expect me to be strong defensively while jumping into the rush to try and add to the offense.


The-Inferno - Our powerplay for the past few years has been pretty much a waste of time, the press release stated you've excelled on that on previous teams... Can you give us an idea of what we can expect or hope for this coming season?

Andrew Hotham - We expect to have a good power play this year. Special teams are extremely important in the game today so we will need a good power play and penalty kill to be successful. In saying that, we have a lot of players that will be able to contribute this year and that will make being on our power play competitive and a privilege.


The-Inferno - What have you been told about the Big Blue Tent (The rink we currently have)? Was the proposed new venue an incentive to signing for the Devils?

Andrew Hotham - I did hear about the new venue but I also heard a lot about the current rink. I hear it is the loudest rink in the league so I'm excited to see how loud it can get!


The-Inferno - We like to ask players if they have set themselves goals for the season to come and what expectations they have of their own and the team’s performance. Have you set yourself any goals for the season?

Andrew Hotham - I don't set myself specific goals other than to go out every game and try and be the best player I can be to help the team win. As for team goals, winning is the best feeling after a long hard-fought game so I would say winning every game would be my goal.


The-Inferno - Can you tell us what your proudest achievement to date as a pro hockey player?

Andrew Hotham - I have yet to win a championship as a pro hockey player so I have yet to achieve my proudest moment.


The-Inferno - How did the move to the DEL come about last season? It seemed that you had a pretty good time in the AHL with Oklahoma prior to the move to Europe?

Andrew Hotham - I had a great time in Oklahoma while I was there but it was time for me to move my career over to Europe and enjoy a different part of the world. The DEL came up and it seemed like a great opportunity for me to continue my career in Germany.


The-Inferno - The BBT has the fans sitting quite high above the ice and it really does rock when the fans see an opposition player turned over. What's the best venue you've played in so far?

Andrew Hotham - Düsseldorf was the best venue i have played in so far but I have heard great things about the fans in Cardiff so hopefully i will be updating this answer next summer.


The-Inferno - What do you consider the strongest part of your game and what 1 thing would you improve - and why?

Andrew Hotham - The strongest part of my game would be my offensive ability and one thing I would improve would be being more physical.