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NHL: STARS: Q & A With Mike Ribeiro

/noticias.info/ Since being acquired from Montreal at the end of September, Mike Ribeiro has tallied three goals and four assists, and is tied for second on the team with seven points through eight games. DallasStars.com recently had the chance to speak with the Montreal native about his style of play, his role on the team and his favorite things about Dallas.

DallasStars.com: What is the determining factor in your style of play?


Ribeiro: "A lot of people would say my passing. I'm more of a playmaker than a scorer. I am going to score, but I'm more of a playmaker, anticipating the game."


DallasStars.com: Do you try to emulate any current or former player's style?


Ribeiro: "Not really. I definitely had idols growing up such as Mats Naslund in Montreal and Wayne Gretzky. Also, back home in Montreal there were some really good players. But when I was six or seven it was Mats Naslund. He was a small guy with a lot of skill. When Wayne Gretzky was behind the net I always enjoyed watching him, but I really just try to be myself."


DallasStars.com: When you step onto the ice for a shift, what is your first thought?


Ribeiro: "My first thought is not to get scored on because right now I'm playing most of my time on the fourth line. When you step up and you don't play much you really try not to get scored on, that's the most important thing. Other than that, every shift can be different, you have to take what comes in front of you."


DallasStars.com: Which of the new NHL rules positively affects you the most?


Ribeiro: "The no-tolerance on holding and grabbing. For a small guy I think it's important. It frees you up to protect the puck and play instead of getting hooked and losing the puck."


DallasStars.com: Your offensive style has been described as crafty, slippery, etc. Why is that?


Ribeiro: "Yeah, a lot of players tell me that I'm hard to hit, and as a small guy, you don't want to get hit a lot. I'm just trying to keep my head up and think a play ahead of the game. I try to be faster than those big guys out there."


DallasStars.com: Which Dallas Stars player did you hear from first after you were traded here?


Ribeiro: "Robi (Stephane Robidas) was really the first guy when I got here who I talked to because we played together in Montreal. I was kind of the young guy and we hung out with each other. That's where I met him and from the start we had a good relationship so I was really happy to come here knowing that I knew someone. It was much easier for me to come into the room and get involved."


DallasStars.com: What are your impressions of the team now that you have been here a couple of weeks?


Ribeiro: "Well, I knew that Dallas had a great year last year, so when I found out I was coming here I was really happy. When you get traded you don't know where you are going and when they told me Dallas, I was really happy to come here. I knew that we had a good chance to win here. It's more relaxed here and it's easier to get in games. I think we have a great team and great bunch of guys. The guys here are funny, like Barney (Matthew Barnaby) and Otter (Steve Ott). Back in Montreal there's a lot of stress and when you tape your stick, its really tight. To come here and be relaxed you can really focus on hockey. It's helping me a lot."


DallasStars.com: What is your favorite thing so far about Dallas since you've arrived?


Ribeiro: "The sun is the best thing here. Back in Quebec we have winter, its cold and chilly. To get up in the morning and see the sun and come to the rink, it's a different ambience. In Montreal, it's cold and snowing and you get grumpy and mad."


DallasStars.com: What is your favorite thing to do away from hockey?

Ribeiro: "Well, I like shopping. Shopping is one of my hobbies. Most of the time I'm with my kids, I have three kids, so, I enjoy my time. It's been almost a month now away from them, but the next few months I'll get to spend time with them. If I have a few minutes or hours I like to go shopping." notas_de_prensa_archivo