Jack Downing University of Vermont Favorite movie: Blades of Glory Favorite pre game meal: Pasta with red sauce and chicken Favorite musician or group: Lil Wayne and Breaking Benjamin

Favorite television show: Lost and Prison Break

Favorite video game: Halo 3

Favorite NHL player: Chris Drury

Best hockey memory: Winning National Championship game in Chicago U16 with Mid Fairfield Midgets

How did you feel your transition from high school to Division I in Hockey East was? hard, easy? Playing for the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League prepared me well for the transition. Playing in college where the puck moves faster and the players are bigger has been a good challenge for me.

How do you stay mentally strong? Sticking with a pregame routine is very important to me. I arrive at the rink at the same time everyday and do everything the same. This allows me to be confident that I am mentally prepared going into a weekend.

In your opinion, what is your strength in the game? Creating offense for my line mates by playing physical and getting shots off.

Weakness? Work on my edges for penalty kill situations.

How do you overcome your weakness? Trying to make sharp turns in practice that are outside my comfort zone.

What is the best piece of coaching advice you have ever received?
To control what I can control. To not worry about failing to capitalize on opportunities, but to refocus and bring it the next shift.

What is the most important skill for a forward to possess in your opinion?
It's important to be able to read the ice and see how the play is developing in order to put yourself in the best spot to support your line mates and get shots off. It's also important to be able win one-on-one battles on the ice.

What was your path to Hockey East? I played most of my youth hockey for Mid Fairfield Blues in Connecticut. I played for New Canaan High School my freshman year, then went to the Taft School for my sophomore and junior year. I spent my senior year with the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League before attending UVM in the fall of 07.

What were you like as a youth hockey player? standout? grinder?
I was definitely a grinder throughout my first years. But Playmakers hockey summer camps in Fort Erie Ontario helped me develop my skills.