Interview With Mike Robitaille

Due to injure Mike Robitaille's career was cut short, after a blindside hit left him with severe nerve damage in his neck, the man who was known for his punishing hip checks was forced to hang up his skates. Robitaille was in the NHL for 8 seasons in which he downed the sweaters of the: New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres.
After hanging up the skates (and winning a lawsuit against the Canucks) Robitaille joined the forces of hockey analysts by starting his own show "Hockey Hotline" the Sabres post game show in 1991. He has also claimed the role of colour analysts and is frequently used when the regular Sabres "voices" can't make it.

We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Robitaille with our friends over at Mike and Josh's.
The interview:

1. What do you miss most about living in Canada? 
- Nothing much, I became a US citizen 10 years ago

2. Who did you have the most fun playing with and who was your favourite Defence partner?
- Ab Demarco Jr. was the most fun to play with and my favourite defence partner was Tim Horton.

3. During your career which goalie did you have a particularly hard time scoring on?
- Seemed like all of them, but probably Tony Esposito of the Chicago Blackhawks

4. What is your number 1 regret, perhaps something you didn't accomplish?
- Took playing too seriously and never had enough fun.

5. What was the high point in your career?
- Being chosen to play in the NHL All-Star game. I broke my wrist a week before and couldn't play in the game. Also being chosen for the unsung hero award in the NHL.

6. What is your greatest memory as a hockey player?
- Being chosen as the best defenceman in Jr. A hockey (Kitchener Rangers)

7. Now being an intermission reporter what do you miss most about the game? What has been the biggest change since your years in the NHL compared to todays NHL?
- Really nothing, as the game did not come easy to me.
The biggest change is how scientific the game has become, the condition of the players and the amount of money to be made in such a short amount of time.

8. When you were little which NHL star did you look up to?
- They were all heroes to me as I was growing up.

9. If you could meet any hockey player past or present who would it be?
- Eddie Shore

10. What former teammate/player are you closest with today?
- Larry Carriere my former defence partner with the Sabres.

11. What do you like most about being an analyst for the Sabres?
- Speaking and explaining the game in simple terms. Also working for terrific owners who make decisions with morals over money.

12. Growing up what was your favorite team?
- Detroit

13. Do you miss playing hockey?
- Not at all toughest job I've ever had by far.

14. Do you like being apart of the Sabres alumni?
- Proud of the alumni and so many players that have made a difference in our community.