Kevin Lorenz posted on November 11, 2009 00:00
Well fans, you voted, and with 50% of the vote when the polls closed by my count, T.J. Oshie took the pot for the first mid-week Blues bio.
I sat down with T.J. Oshie following practice on Wednesday morning, here’s what he had to say:
On moving from Washington to Minnesota: “It came to a point where I thought it would benefit me for hockey to move up to Minnesota where High School hockey is very big. You’re easily recognized (by scouts and teams) if you play well up there 
so I moved there to hopefully further my career.”
On the difference between Minnesota and Missouri High School Hockey: “I come from a town (Warroad, Minnesota) of 1,722, and our crowd is easily over half the town every game, if not more when we play our rivals. For example when we play our close rival Roseau, I believe there’s around 2000 people in the stands. The state tourney sells out the Minnesota Wild’s arena.
On North Dakota’s Fans: “It’s unbelievable, it’ll be in the middle of February with a windchill of negative 35 or 40, and when I’m leaving the rink there’s students camping out at the front door cuz it’s first come first serve for the students for the best seats.”
On being a college student and a local celebrity: “It was hard. But coming from a Minnesota High School, it seemed like a normal thing, going to class, playing hockey…it was fun. It brings the guys closer together when you’re battling to get through assignments together.
On playing in the NHL: “I never thought I’d be able to play in the NHL until my last year of college, so it’s still surreal. I’m sure I’ll look back on it in five years and realize how special it was for me.”
On the 2005 draft: “I wasn’t even watching the draft. When I got drafted my buddy was watching it and he told me I got drafted, then I got a call a minute or two after.
On playing In-line hockey: “In-line was a way to play hockey in the summer. There’s not really any ice in Washington. If you wanted to skate, it was $15 an hour and my parents didn’t want to pay for that.
On being surprised by the fan’s instant love affair with him: “Yeah I got some of that in North Dakota, but especially here. It’s amazing seeing my jersey in the stands. I don’t mind people coming up to me at all; it’s nice to have fans.”
On being in sandals, shorts and a T-shirt on the ice this morning: “I’m a rink rat I guess you could say. In North Dakota we had computers, our own lounge, and our own kitchen so I was at the rink five hours a day at least. If I could, I’d probably hang out here quite a bit, but they kick me out.
His best hockey moment: “Any day at the rink in North Dakota was unbelievable, but I’d say the biggest moment was winning both Minnesota State Championships.”
Most embarrassing hockey moment: “Anytime I don’t score on a shootout, for me is embarrassing cuz I pride myself on scoring goals.”
Favorite Food: “Cereal. I go back and forth between Peanut Butter Crunch, and 
Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Favorite place in St. Louis: “That’s a tough one, I go to Drunken Fish quite a bit, I like Dominics, we have our pregame meal there.”
Nicknames? “Osh, Timmy, Furnace face every once in awhile by Walt, my face gets red… mostly just Osh.”
Don’t forget to check back Monday morning for my weekly column, and for your chance to vote on next week’s mid-week Blues bio.