Florida Panthers newcomer Jeff Petry excited to join Champions

WQAM-AM / AM 560 Sports WQAM

Newcomer Jeff Petry swings by to discuss his excitement around joining the team!

Transcript

00:00We are live from the Baptist South Ice Plex for Florida Panthers Media Day.

00:04One of the new Panthers, stopping by Jeff Petrie joining us here.

00:06Hey, man, welcome to South Florida.

00:08It's great to have you down here.

00:10What went to the decision?

00:10What made you want to come to the Cats?

00:13You know, when they called, you know, it was, there was a lot of interest there,

00:19obviously, with the track record over the last couple of years.

00:23And then just talking with my agent, with Bill, you know,

00:29I thought it would be a good fit.

00:30And, you know, everyone kind of said when they call, you know,

00:34that's something that you have to take advantage of.

00:39You see how they play hockey and the style in which they play

00:44and everybody talks about it and whatever.

00:46So when you get that call, are you getting yourself ready or you go,

00:50no, this is my game too.

00:51Or do you know you're going to have to play like certain parts of your game,

00:56you're going to have to ramp up and be more physical.

00:59No, I mean, I think that's something that, you know, like you said,

01:03that they play a distinct style.

01:05You know, they have a lot of skill up front, but those guys, they play hard.

01:09And, you know, playing against them for years, you know,

01:12it's not a fun game going into.

01:14So, you know, that's, you know, exciting to be on this side of it.

01:18And, you know, on my game, I think, you know, I skate well, play a physical game.

01:24So I think it kind of fits into the system.

01:28What is, you know, what have you thought about your first days down here in South Florida?

01:33How have you been getting used to it?

01:34Because you've been in some cold climates.

01:36Yeah.

01:36Now you get to come down here and swear it's been,

01:40everybody's been saying like they've enjoyed their experience.

01:42I mean, it's obviously you're coming into kind of a golden age of hockey down here,

01:45but is this a different feel coming down to a place like this?

01:50Yeah.

01:51I mean, it's definitely a different feel, obviously, you know, coming to a warm, warm climate.

01:56I think you said I've been in cold weather my whole career.

02:00And, you know, we've been down here.

02:02We have four boys that are in school.

02:04So we've been down here for a little over a month already.

02:06And, you know, the area, this, you know, the practice rink here, everything is, you know,

02:14has been really enjoyable so far.

02:17And now the fun gets started.

02:20Have you been to the arena yet?

02:22First time down there this morning.

02:24Really?

02:24Okay.

02:25All right.

02:26Yeah, I was just walking in a different door, you know, obviously played in it, you know,

02:32several times.

02:32But walking in a different door and seeing the home side is, you know, it's always different.

02:38Do the boys play?

02:40Are they at the age where they play hockey yet?

02:41Our oldest three are playing.

02:44So we have 10, 8, and 6.

02:46They're playing.

02:47They're really into hockey, really into baseball.

02:50So two sports that...

02:52Very similar.

02:53In fact, when you golf with a baseball player and you golf with a hockey player,

02:58they both hit the ball the same way because they're all right-handed.

03:01They all...

03:02And so they hit this big old hook.

03:04Yeah.

03:05What's the welcome been like from your teammates?

03:07Like, have you gotten to interact with them a lot?

03:09Or does that happen now in camp?

03:11You know, I think it's been nice, you know, coming down before camp starts.

03:18You know, there was...

03:19When I first got down here, there was five guys.

03:21And then, you know, another week passes, a couple more coming to town.

03:24So, you know, not only learning the area and things like that,

03:30but getting to know your teammates prior to the start of camp.

03:34But that's been, you know, one of the nice things about having to come down here so early

03:37for the kids' school is, you know, being in the locker room, interacting with the guys,

03:42getting to know them before, you know, things really get started, you know, with the start of camp.

03:48You said...

03:48Go ahead.

03:48Is there a few guys that, you know, because I know when I switch teams,

03:52there's a couple of guys who I played against that I couldn't stand.

03:55And then you actually hang out with them or talk to them.

03:58And you go, that's hockey.

04:00Yeah.

04:00It's just...

04:01Yeah.

04:01I mean, yeah, there's a few on, you know, there's teammates throughout my career that I hated playing against.

04:08But, you know, they're some of the best teammates you've had.

04:11And, you know, I think Brad Marchant's one of those guys that I'm sure pops up into a lot of guys.

04:18But, you know, I actually talked to him a little bit after we played him at the end of last season.

04:24And, you know, coming in, I mean, playing with...

04:29I want a good friend of mine play with him in Boston.

04:32He said, he's like, he's the best.

04:33Like, you're going to love him.

04:35But that's what I think makes him who he is.

04:39His name comes up a lot.

04:39It makes him who he is.

04:41He's a guy that you do not like to play against.

04:44And that's, I think, everybody's goal.

04:46Jeff Petrie, we're happy to have you here, man.

04:49Best of luck this upcoming season.

04:50I think the Cats are going to welcome you.

04:53And, you know, it seems like when everybody new comes in here, they blend right in and they get the best out.

04:58So we're excited to see what you bring this year.

04:59No, thank you.

05:00Thanks.

05:01There you go.

05:01Let's have a look.

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