Inferno Interview - Jamie Vanderveeken

In the latest Inferno interview we caught up with defenseman Jamie Vanderveeken in the run up to the play offs quarter finals.

Jamie was originally a Devils target a couple of seasons ago but opted to stay in North America at the time. After playing in the CHL for several seasons with the Rapid City Rush and Arizona Sundogs Jamie moved to Italy in the summer to sign for Fassa HC playing 23 games for the Italian side before joining the Devils midway through the season as injury cover for Mark Smith.

We spoke to Jamie about his move to the Devils his first impressions of UK Hockey and fans and his plans for the future we might have also had a bit of a conversation about that Hat Trick against Edinburgh the other week.

The Inferno (IF)- How old were you when you first got involved in Hockey and have you always played on D ?

Jamie Vanderveeken (Veeks) - I was 5 or 6 when i started in the minor hockey program of my home town, I grew up playing defence until I was 15 and was drafted into the OHL where I became a forward. It wasn't until my first year playing pro in Kalamazoo that I became an defensemen again. I have played my entire pro career as a d man since then.

IF - Do you follow an NHL team and who'd you like the look of for the cup this year?

Veeks - Yes I do Follow an NHL team and That is the Detroit Red Wings.

IF - You joined the Devils after a time in Italy, How was Italian hockey ? Were you adapting well to the style or not so much ?

Veeks - The Italian hockey was pretty competitive and I liked it a lot. It was simply because of the organization and coach that I decided to make the decision to come to the Cardiff Devils. I was adapting well to the pace of play and the culture itself it. It was a live and learn experience and I know now I made the right choice coming here.

IF - What were your First impressions of the big blue tent? Did you know much about the UK league before signing here?

Veeks - My first impression was shocking haha. I definitely wasn't expecting it to be so small but I like playing in it and the atmosphere is great during out home games witch gives us an advantage against opposing teams. I knew very little of the UK league upon arriving here in December.

IF - What's it like joining a team mid-way through a season ? Was it tough going fitting in or just business as usual ?

Veeks - Joining a new team can be difficult when its half way through a season. With that being said coming in to a great group guys like the ones we have here made it easy on me to get comfortable an get to know them.

IF - Congratulations on your recent hat trick against Edinburgh. Was that your first ever hat trick and would you describe the dump into their zone a bizarre goal?

Veeks - Thanks! Yes that was my first career hat trick. The goal was pretty flukey lol. I just tried to bounce it on net and make the goal have trouble with it. Them sort of goals don't happen very often but I guess at the end of the day a goals a goal and for this goal there was a bit of luck on my side.

IF - Who's the best defensive player you lined up with?

Veeks - I would say Danial Girardi of the New York Rangers.

IF - Who's been the Best forward you've played against to date?

Veeks - I played against Sidney Crosby in the 2005 Memorial Cup in London, Ontario

IF- What’s been your favourite or the best arena or rink that you've played in ? Also how were the Italian fans compared to the UK or North America ?

Veeks - Well the Best rink I have player in since coming to the UK I would say Belfast. I would have to say the fans here in the UK are much better.

IF - What’s been your best moment as a pro player to date?

Veeks - The Best Moment to date would have to be winning the 2010 Presidents Cup in the Central Hockey league. It was a very special year and one I will never forget.

IF - Can you see yourself looking to stay on another season in the UK ? Which is a nice way of us asking if you'd like to or are planning to come back...

Veeks - That is totally up to the coaches and management of the hockey club. I would be interested in coming back to play for the Devils but that is something that will be taking care of during my end of the season meeting.

IF - Do you have any goals for the future ? What do you have planned for when you hang your skates up?

Veeks - I would like to play for few more years yet and see where hockey takes me. I would love to be involved in hockey some way when I retired either as a coach or management but also i will look to pursue a trade like an electrician or welder.

We'd like to thank Jamie for speaking to us and wish him all the best for next weekend.