Tank Talk Eric Pohlkamp

Tank Talk Eric Pohlkamp

Eric, last season you get to the Frozen Four. What does that just experience do for your background, resume, and and the things you’ve been through as a hockey player? Yeah, that’s the main reason why I wanted to go to Denver is to win. And um obviously David Carl’s done a great job. You know, he gets all the credit in the world, right? You’ve you’ve already heard of it. So, um I think just for me personally, it’s playing in those bigger games. Um the regional game against BC, Providence, um played in that Western Michigan game. Um playing the NCHC championship game. Um, so I guess it’s just me helping me get ready for next year, too, cuz we’re we’re going to have a really good team and hopefully we can kind of be in that spot again next year. And, um, no, it’s just, you know, learning from it and experience and be able to play with that pressure. What does the college route provide you? Obviously, you are there for school, too. But, um, just seems like, you know, whether you’re in Hockey East or place like Denver University that they’re really getting players ready for the next level in addition to trying to win where you’re at now, right? I think like Denver, um, I’m so happy I picked it. I love it. Absolutely love it. Um like everything, we have one big building. The swimming pool’s in there, the basketball court’s in there, the gym’s in there. So, um you get to know all the other athletes, too, which is really cool. It’s not just your team, you know. We worked out with I think I might have been in the swim team this year. We have we have one and they have one. It’s a m it’s a massive gym. So, I mean there’s no problem with room either. So, um No, they do a great job there. And the relationships you build, too. And um yeah, we’ve gotten close with a lot of teams there. For example, the women’s lacrosse team we’re probably the super closest with. Um, no, there’s a high energy team and we really like that about them and uh, yeah, just being able to uh, do whatever with them and grab a bite to eat or um, no, you get to really know everyone in the community there is fantastic. Right. I’m just the Sharks broadcaster and content guy. What the heck do I know? But what I hear, they’re really happy with your development. Where can you say you’re at right now as a hockey player? Yeah, I think this year, like to be honest with you, like right when I stepped on campus um at Denver, I felt like the most unathletic um not the best hockey player just because it’s so it was just such a new style of hockey to me. And for example, Matt Shaw, the strength coach there, like the movements he was putting me in and I’ve never, you know, been in those movements before. And it’s like when I first came, I was more of like a linebacker built and um yeah, like coming in there and um no, it was just Yeah, like yeah, I laugh about it, but it’s Yeah, it’s um yeah, it was just definitely different. a lot different and um playing you know David Carl style it’s just helped me grow a ton and with my skating and my shooting and um I just think my development going on and maybe slow the game down a little more try different stuff um get put in without Z William gun maybe getting put in those high pressure situations and um I’ll probably be running the top on the power play this year and um no just different situations that I’ll be put in and um more confidence to all green this year I would imagine though the body of a linebacker like your board play that that helps in that situation, right? Yeah. I to be honest with you, I loved football more than hockey. Um till 9th grade, I had to give it up cuz I mean Minnesota, you know, hockeyy’s a religion there. So, um no, I’m glad I stuck with it. So, um yeah, hockey and baseball, but um yeah, I’m glad I’m the on the route where I am. Just looking at the stats, third in points last year among NCAA defenseman. Offense kind of the the staple of your game. I’m sure there’s some defensive responsibility, but is that is that the part that you want to be the signature? Yeah, I I love shooting the puck. So, I love shooting the puck as much as I can and yeah, all my teammates know that. But, um, you know, less time you can spend your diesel, the more time in the offense, right? Everyone loves the offensive zone. So, um, yeah, I try to, you know, however I can run my game and make it better. And, um, yeah, just, yeah, shoot the puck as much as I can and hope for the best. One more hockey related question, then we’ll get to the fun stuff. What’s the development like the next development you’re looking to maybe add to your game or the next step or the the focal point for you not only here in dev camp but as you start to move forward and how do you get back to a place like San Jose? Right. Like my first dev camp year I was one of the younger guys, right? Now I’m kind of the older guy, right? So um yeah, just being here and learning from guys like Misa or um just taking a different skill you haven’t learned there. Like today we’re picking up pucks on the wall and you know shoulder checking or doing whatever. So you can always sharpen those skills in your game and and get those better. So, um I would say the next step would be um honestly that college hockey is going to be really good next year and a lot of skill and um that’s going to be really interesting. So, just being able to play against those guys next year and um just kind of round out the game completely and be ready to take next step here. All right, here come the fun questions. Uh you play Chell? I do not play Chell. Um so, growing up it was always Yeah. I I have five siblings, so we have a lake in the backyard. And then you’re too busy for video games. Yeah. And then the front yard was always baseball in the front yard, hockey in the backyard, football wherever. So um you know there’ always be a couple a couple blood drops here and there, but um no, just being with your your family outside and then we live right next to the baseball of diamond. So um and my dad actually run the parks and recck so we’re always over there or doing whatever. That’s the most wholesome answer I think I’ve ever heard. Like I just asked a guy if he played video games like no too busy being outdoors. I love that. Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah. You know Minnesota, you’re always, you know, on the lake or golfing or doing whatever. All right. You’re at dinner with the boys. Chad comes. It’s a nice dinner. So, it’s it’s a rather large check. Best way to handle that situation? Who who who takes care of it? You split it. What do you do? I would say I would look at what what the other guys got, you know, like if I got a nice porter house and they all got porter houses. Yeah. But if you know, if I got a salad and my buddy got a porter house and he said one check on me, like I’d be a little riled with that. Um, favorite sheet of ice you’ve ever played on? Favorite sheet of ice? Um, oh gosh, I would say in college or whatever. Anyone ever? Anyone ever. Maybe one that just means the most to you, too. Yeah, I think the one that means the most obviously Roso’s rink in Roso, Minnesota. It’s a lot of history there. Um, you know, that’s probably on everyone’s radar. You know, always going up there. There’s always, you know, a blood bath with them and a good rivalry. So, um, yeah, they’re definitely up there for sure. Small town in Minnesota. A lot of you guys probably don’t know about it. I’m going to go Google this instantly, by the way. All right, last one here is a beauty. Is there ever a circumstance or a situation where sharing a toothbrush with somebody is okay? Well, you know, the funny thing is my mom’s a dental hygienist, so we we always got our own toothbrushes, of course. I mean, but I would say I would do it for my buddy 100%. If he need a toothbrush that bad, I would brush my teeth, he’d brush his, and then I’ll just throw it away. Oh. Oh, you would let somebody else do it? Yeah. I’m saying, would you use somebody else’s? Would I use somebody else’s? Oh gosh. It depends how clean their teeth are, I guess. This is supposed to be an instant no, by the way. Yeah. I mean, if I got to brush my teeth, I got to brush my teeth. True savage, Eric. I appreciate this. Thank you so much. Yeah, absolutely. Thank you very much.

Brodie Brazil sat down with prospect Eric Pohlkamp during Sharks Development Camp.