Clifton, Jones, and Wotherspoon Media Availabilities | Pittsburgh Penguins

Clifton, Jones, and Wotherspoon Media Availabilities | Pittsburgh Penguins

Okay, we’ll start off with a question from Seth Roarball. Hi, Connor. Uh, welcome to Pittsburgh and I appreciate you giving us some time today. Hey, um, I was looking at your career numbers here and last each of the last three seasons, whether it was Boston or Buffalo, you led the team you played for in hits. Um, you have a pretty distinct style of playing. Uh, when did you realize that’s the style that you maybe need to employ in order to get from juniors to college to college of pro to the NHL, etc. And um how do you go about that being uh you know with all due respect maybe a smaller guy in that regard. That’s okay. I’ve heard that plenty of times. Um that’s kind of how I’ve always played and you know working to get to the the next level. It was always a big part of my game and um I feel like I out competed my way to the NHL with that sort of style and that’s you know what’s going to keep me there. Next question is from Matt Benel. Welcome to Pittsburgh. Um, how did you find out about the trade? Is there a story there? Um, what was your initial reaction to the trade and and how do you feel about it now that you’ve had some time to kind of wrap your head around it? I’m really excited for the opportunity. Um, it was kind of funny. I was putting my daughter down for a nap. Um, the I guess the draft was going on. We didn’t even have it on the TV, but um I didn’t see Kevin, the GM of Buffalo, had a he texted me and I had a missed call, I guess, when I was in the room. Uh so then, you know, she was getting a nap, I was getting a nap, too. We went to our room and I Kevin popped up. I didn’t even see I had already missed a call and I told my wife I was like, “Oh, Kevin’s calling.” You know, she’s like, “Oh, where are we going?” And then, you know, I answered had to whisper a little in our in our bathroom and uh he told me it was Pittsburgh and I was I was pretty excited. Next questions. Michelle Cariola. Hi Connor, welcome to Pittsburgh. Um I feel like I have to ask about fighting Spez in your NHL debut and just uh how that kind of all came about. And um did you and Spez have you guys had a good laugh about it since? Uh yeah, I guess I gota I got to talk to him about that too actually. Um it was kind of funny. I was just trying to survive NHL debut and you know I’m just trying to survive out there and uh ended up getting a fight with him and I know he doesn’t fight often. It was quick and then you know we served our time in the box. Uh but it was funny. Yeah, I guess he was looking for it more than me. I was just trying to survive out there for game one. Um, I had a little laugh with him. I think it must have been the year a year or two after when he was in Toronto. I hear round two, you know. I was like, “No, I’m good, man. We already got ours.” So, that’s pretty funny. Wes Crosby. Hey, Connor. Uh, thanks for doing this. Welcome to Pittsburgh. Uh, you mentioned that you’re excited about the opportunity. Obviously, there are some big names still on the roster, but it’s also maybe a team in transition. just what specifically about the opportunity does excite you with the Penguins? Um, I think to play with some greats. I think, you know, with the with with the with the star power, some of the star power in that room, I think it’s going to be, you know, awesome to be around uh those guys. I think, you know, I came up for the Boston Bruins playing with some absolute legends and, you know, it’s kind of, you know, I get to play with Sydney Crosby, so that’s, you know, it’s pretty incredible. I mean, I’ve played against those guys for a while now, but, you know, I’m excited to meet him, get in the same room, and get on the same side as him for once. Dan Kurski. Hi, Connor. Uh, thanks for doing this. Physicality is obviously a a part of of your game and I’m curious, you know, Buffalo has been kind of parallel to Pittsburgh for the last couple of years or so. What What is your view of of the current Penguin situation and maybe it’s kind of like a second part of that? Obviously, there’s a lot of right side defensemen on the roster right now. And have they said anything to you about your opportunity and what they expect? Uh, no, not too much. I I spoke with Dan. I was actually uh I came to Pittsburgh last week for a couple days. Um I was speaking to Dan and just how you know we’re going to be competitive and it’s all going to start with work and he mentioned he wanted me to come in and you know try to try to find it right away and don’t come in all passive but but be aggressive and be who I am. Um and I think that’s always good to hear. Um um I said, you know, I’m excited for the opportunity and and yeah, I guess, you know, you want to talk about standings, but you know, with obviously some of the guys you have in that room, you got a veteran group, an older group who knows how to play the game, knows how to manage situations. So, I think uh you know, I’m excited. I’m excited to get back to that and, you know, meet the guys and and get this year started. Seth Connor, just what did you make of your time or at least last season in Buffalo? I mean, like I said earlier, you led the team in hits, a lot of PK time. There was also some healthy scratches mixed in there. Just what do you make of uh how last season unfolded for you? Um I I wasn’t too h I wasn’t too happy with it. Um I think, you know, I think I was all over my place. I think I wouldn’t even say just last year really the past two years. I think my game it’s kind of been at a standstill. was a lot of mental battles along the way. I I there was a couple scratches two years ago, too. So, I think my whole time in Buffalo, I was, you know, I feel like I kind of lost myself. Um, and again, you know, the change of scenery, I got that call that, you know, I’m going to be a Pittsburgh Penguin. I was really excited to to for the change. Um, I want to, you know, get back to my old self and how I play and the impact how how that I have on the game. Um, so I mean, for me it was couple mental battles. Yeah, a couple I think I got scratched nine games last year, but you know, you just try to simplify and and be who you are, I guess. Michelle. Um, so Kyle told us that Dan actually tried to recruit you to to Yell and obviously it totally makes sense why you went to Quinnipak, but uh what are you looking forward to when it comes to the chance to play for for Dan now at this point in your career? Uh yeah, he did, which is kind of funny. My dad was all excited about that. But um he’s I mean he mentioned he’s been watching me for I mean I went to college in 2013, right? So it’s it’s over a decade since he’s been watching me and he told me how he loves my game and I like I said I think that’s that’s nice to hear. And you know I think we’re excited to work together for for the first time. Obviously, it didn’t work out when uh he was trying to recruit me in college because obviously I went to Quinnipiac and and it worked out great for me. So, um yeah, excited to to finally get to work together. Last one. Seth Connor, um I’m paraphrasing a bit, but you kind of said, you know, you you’ve always kind of had to fight your way up or, you know, maybe you overachieved some. um your background being from New Jersey and being from Quinnipic. Again, not maybe traditional places for NHL players to come from. How much did that background where you came from maybe craft uh how you go about your business as an NHL player? Um I think I think I mean from an early age early age it kind of all started with work. You know my dad whistling at me from the stands get tell me to move my feet. I’m not moving fast enough. Um, so I think it starts there. And yeah, I guess my goals of hockey, right? I’m playing junior in New Jersey. Okay, I want to play D1 college hockey. I commit to Quinnipic. I go there. I just keep trying to develop and get better and and and keep pushing up the ladder. And then I I got an opportunity with Providence, then Boston, to Buffalo, now to Pittsburgh. So, I think yeah, my there’s there’s always setbacks on your journey and I’m pretty proud of the journey I’m on and and I think I have a lot left to give and like I said, I’m really excited for for a fresh start in Pittsburgh and can’t wait to get started. Perfect. You’re all set, Connor. Thanks. I appreciate you doing this. Thank you guys. First question will come from Michelle Kyle. Hi, Caleb. Welcome to the Penguins. Um, just wanted to ask what went into your decision to sign with Pittsburgh and maybe just what you’re looking forward to about this opportunity here. Yeah. Um, I was, uh, obviously this summer I got a call, uh, from my agent, um, and they said they they kind of had interest in me and and had been, uh, talking for a little bit. And, um, I just I just felt like the opportunity um, to go into Pittsburgh and become a kind of be a regular guy every night and and really uh, fully be established was was something too good to pass up. And um I had a lot of communication with with management and the coaches and I just felt really good about the opportunity I was going to have and um that’s kind of kind of how the decision was made to to sign in Pittsburgh. Um and obviously I’m really excited. Um you know I think I think we’ll have a good team and I think it’s going to be a great chance for me to to come in and kind of show what I can do and and really earn um a spot. Justin Guerrero. Hey, Caleb. Just wondering uh for for people out there who maybe aren’t uh super familiar with with you or your game, just how would you describe yourself as a defenseman, just what what do you think makes you stand out on the blue line and what what’s your uh your approach uh on the blue line? Um yeah, so I’m a two-way defenseman. Um I think uh skating is my best attribute. Um I think I close gaps really fast. Um I’m a really good defender. Um, and then obviously I can get up the ice and try to to kind of be the fourth man in the rush or or kind of help the offense out. But, um, I’m an aggressive defenseman. I like to pinch. Um, you I like to kind of stay right on top of guys and play with a really tight gap and kind of uh take away all time and space and and close really quick with my skating ability. Uh, we’ll go back to Michelle. Michelle, if you want to ask your two or three questions, go ahead. Okay, awesome. Um, Caleb, I just feel like you have a really cool background, so I’m sure you probably talked about it a lot, but I did want to ask you um now as well for for our fans. Um, I mean, I did want to ask how your dad felt about his boys sort of taking to hockey instead of basketball. And, you know, I know they’re they’re different sports, but what sort of wisdom or advice has he given you that maybe applies across the board? Yeah. Uh he obviously um we were younger, we all kind of we started when we were really young with hockey um in Colorado and um you know he never really had an issue with it. Um I’m sure deep down he probably wanted us to play some basketball but it just never never happened. um you know he was really supportive the whole time and um obviously you know him being a pro alete he he has a lot of good advice and um you know I’d say Seth has had a little bit of a different path than than he had um in basketball and then I’ve kind of had here in the NHL. So, um, you know, when I’ve had the last couple years when I’ve had some, you know, some tough moments in my career, um, you know, he’s kind of been through the same type of thing, obviously a different sport, but, um, kind of just having to work and earn ear earn your opportunity every year. And I think he’s, uh, he’s done a good job of of kind of giving me that advice when I needed it. Nice. And I’m I’m sure you and and Seth, you probably, you know, played street hockey and and pretended you were in the NHL, um, and dreamed about making it as as kids. And so what was it like getting to play with him in Chicago? And then what was it like seeing him uh win the Stanley Cup this summer and and were you able to be there in person and just uh what was that whole experience like? Uh that was that was awesome. And and like you said, we obviously growing up we um you know, you always dream of getting to the NHL and you know, it’s obviously doesn’t seem like it’s possible that that two kids from the same family could do it. And um getting to be being able to play with them in Chicago for a couple years and be paired together sometimes on the same defense pair was um it was really cool looking looking back at it. You kind of don’t realize uh when you’re in the moment how how special that is. But um yeah, like looking back it it was a really special moment. It’s something that um you you definitely don’t want you don’t want to take for granted and um you know we enjoyed every second of it. But, uh, seeing him win the cup, uh, that was that was awesome cuz we’ve trained together for, um, eight years and, uh, just kind of knowing the amount of hard work we, you know, we both have put in and and seeing, you know, how he’s had so many hard times in Chicago and things didn’t quite go his way there, but he kind of stuck with it and and was able to get traded to a good team and um, contribute a lot to to helping him win that cup. It was it was just awesome to see and I was just happy I could be there and and celebrate with them and um kind of makes you want to want to keep working and and hopefully get that same opportunity. Nice. And just one followup to that, um I did want to ask where you guys train in the summers. Yeah, so usually we actually train in Dallas, but uh right now I’m down in Fort Lauderdale with him and I’m training in Florida. Nice. So it was a little switch. Okay, gotcha. And then uh my last one um I saw you got married. Congratulations on that. Thank you. I did want to ask what your favorite parts of of the big day were. And then what else was or is on your summer itinerary? Oh, that was uh I think my favorite part was probably Oh man, I’d say like the reception after obviously the ceremony and everything was it was a smaller wedding, but the ceremony was great. I would say just the reception after and kind of being able to enjoy it and drink and and you know dance and and have a bunch of family and friends around that was uh that was really special and and then um you know obviously the honeymoon was was a blast too after that but uh my summer itineraries now just just training and kind of getting ready for camp. Obviously that was kind of my I had about 20 straight days in July. It was all wedding and honeymoon. So um I kind of had to to get going uh here in Florida right away after that. Uh, Joe, go ahead. You might need to unmute, Joe. Okay, we’ll go to Justin. Caleb, you’re you’re joining the Penguins organization at a time of a essentially a a new chapter for the club. Uh just bringing in a new head coach and Dan Muse. I’m I’m curious, what do you know, if anything, about Dan Muse? Have you had any initial conversations with him? And what are your expectations just heading into camp as far as uh maybe the the the system in Pittsburgh that you’re going to be walking into and how it uh how it might suit you? Yeah. So, I’ve um I I didn’t know much about Dan um before I talked to him on the phone a couple weeks ago. Um but yeah, I didn’t know much about him before, but um you know, he seemed like a really smart guy and he kind of uh we had about a 45minute conversation. He took me through um what they were thinking with systems and and how we’re going to play different things. And um you know, he seems like a really smart guy and and um definitely knows what he’s talking about when it comes to hockey. they know he’s been around um on a couple different teams as an assistant. So um you know, I think when anytime you have a whole new staff like that coming in, even for the guys that have probably been there, um it’s just it’s always nice to have a fresh set of eyes and kind of a new opportunity for everyone to u kind of show what you can do and try to impress them. And um you know that that’s kind of my plan going in there is just just play my game and um you know let your play on the ice kind of hopefully do the talking and get you your opportunities. Let’s go back to Joe. See if we can get it this time. Yeah. Sorry about that. We good? Yeah. Apologize. Thanks for your patience. Uh hey Caleb, welcome to Pittsburgh. Um actually covered you in Chicago. So great to see you again. And um something I else I remember along with you getting to play with your brother was just you you fully taken advantage of uh opportunities kind of show your skill set a little bit more and getting some opportunities to play a little bit more and then really running with it. I’m just kind of curious how how much did that help your confidence and how do you kind of see that hopefully um you know meshing this year with the opportunity in Pittsburgh? Yeah, for sure. I think um definitely the end of the second year I remember being um being paired with Seth there in Chicago and getting to play um a lot more after there were a few trades and you I think I was a little younger obviously back then but I think that was a big big time for me because it kind of I was able to kind of show myself that or prove to myself that you know I could do some really good things in the league and um I’m really looking forward to to trying to just kind of get out of my head and just play my game in Pittsburgh and show what I can do and um you know just have that confidence every night to go out there and do it. And then this is a little off topic, but is is Whiskey still with us? Yeah, Whisy’s he’s a bit older since Chicago. Yes, he’s still with us. Okay, good to hear. Thanks, man. Awesome. Caleb, thank you very much for the time. Really appreciate it. Yeah, thanks guys. Hey Parker, welcome to Pittsburgh. Uh what what excites you about this opportunity to join the Penguins and um you know how did uh Geez, it’s been a long time it feels like since July 1, but kind of walk us through that day and and how you ultimately wound up here in Pittsburgh. Uh yeah, it was uh you know it was obviously an exciting day um to get the deal done and uh you know um it was Canada Day here. So I was out just uh on the beach with some friends, but uh yeah, when I started talking to Pittsburgh um right from the get-go, it seemed like there was a there was a good connection there. Um you know, they seemed interested, we seemed interested. uh we thought it’d be a good fit, you know, with uh with some opportunity to play and uh obviously the way the team is, you know, there’s obviously like the big four and you know, just a lot of great players there and uh you know, I think like with uh looking at the team, they’re on the up and you know, I think they missed the playoffs. I don’t know, by too much. So like you know, an opportunity to get back in the playoffs is kind of all I wanted to do. So um everything just kind of lined up really well. Obviously, I don’t know a ton about the city except for uh going there on the road, but um every time I’d go there um you know, great restaurants and uh seemed like a great uh blueco collar city. So, uh Justin, hey Parker, thanks for doing this. Um you only took five penalties last year in 55 games. All of them were were minors. Uh that seems pretty suggestive of you playing a pretty clean game uh on the blue line. I’m wondering what what do you think that illustrates just about kind of how you operate and if you uh if you would agree that that’s a strength of year is playing a pretty uh pretty clean game defensively. Yeah, I mean, you know, I didn’t always used to stay out of the box. Um uh just especially with like the style I play, I play aggressive, you know, um play hard, you know, try try and be as physical as possible. But, um, yeah, you know, like I just kind of learned growing up or, uh, going through those years of, uh, you know, being in the minors and a couple couple years in the NHL is like just stay off the rafts, you know, uh, and like keep it between the whistles. You know, you’re going to like you’re not going to have many minors and especially in my situation, you know, if you’re taking minors and hurting the team, um, you know, you’re helping no one. So, uh, I do my best to stay out of there and, uh, you know, play physical and dirty or, you know, between the whistles. Uh, Michelle, go ahead with, uh, the couple questions you have. Hi, Parker. Um, I first just wanted to sort of also ask about last season and just ask what it did for your confidence, you know, reaching career highs in games played and, you know, getting your first goal against a goalie like Vaski and and how you hope to keep building on the last couple seasons in general here. Yeah, obviously uh, you know, was building pretty good last year. It was kind of tough, uh, tough season. Obviously, we didn’t make the playoffs or uh where we were wanting to be, but um you know, with the with the extra playing time, I felt like, you know, I was growing every game. Um you know, playing more and more uh especially when I get the bigger roles with the PK and stuff. So, yeah, you know, it was just uh obviously with that goal was exciting time, too. Um yeah, obviously like having a great a great goalie like that who you know, was considered one of the best all time. Like just to have your first on that is uh is special. Makes it that much better. But yeah, you know, it’s just always growing. Um, you know, it takes a little bit to get your feet wet for the for the game to slow down and um I was kind of finding that a little bit a little bit more at the end of the year and uh you know, just playing playing more confidently um as the game came and yeah, that’s you can only get that way when you’re playing more. Nice. And then um I did want to ask about what it’s like having an older brother who’s also a pro hockey player and how you guys have sort of helped and and supported each other over the years. Yeah, exactly. I mean I uh you know I own I owe a lot to my brother. Um wouldn’t be here without him. Um, growing up, you know, I I didn’t take I loved hockey my whole life, but like I didn’t take it as serious. But as soon as I saw the like the success that he had um when he was growing up and uh you know, going to the prospects game and watching him get drafted and stuff and live in the US and all that stuff. I just wanted, you know, I just wanted to be like him. So, um, you know, I started really buckling down because that was kind of like the life I knew I wanted. And then, you know, he’s always helped me along the way, you know, words of encouragement. He’s always like someone you can just fall back on and uh yeah, we have a good relationship like that. Awesome. And where is home for you in the in the summertime and what’s sort of been on the itinerary these um last few months? Yeah, I’m in uh I’m in Vancouver in uh in the summers. I I grew up uh about 40 minutes from here um in Suri. Uh but I live downtown now. And yeah, just a lot of uh skating and working out right now. It doesn’t uh doesn’t change a whole lot, you know, just try and try and fill the weekends with some friends. But yeah, just on the ice uh three, four times a week and you know, working out three, four times a week. So, uh just getting ready for the season. You know, it’s uh it’s been a long offseason, so I’m just ready to get back to it now. Nice. And do you and your brother train together by chance or are you guys in separate places? Uh we’re in separate places, actually. Yeah, my brother is in uh he’s down in Arizona this this summer. Um yeah, he’s been moving around. I used to live in in Oregon for years, so we haven’t uh trained together in a while. Nice. And then um last one for me is that um do you have any familiarity with anyone in the organization? I I see you’re from um I know Jars is from you know around where you’re from. I don’t know if you guys have crossed paths before. Um there’s anyone else that you might already know here. Yeah, I don’t know. Uh I don’t know Tristan. Um I think my I think I played with his brother when I was really young. I’m not too sure because I think Tristan’s a 95. I’m not too sure. But um I actually grew up uh working out with Heinen a little bit and uh then we skate we skate together every week. Um we actually live in the same building so I know Dan really well. Um we’re good buddies so it’s uh that’s that helps a ton. Obviously knowing him coming into the situation is is huge. Um just been able to like talk to him too about places uh where to go and things like that. And then obviously I know uh Justin Brazzo um from last last couple years um and years before playing against him, but uh he was in he was in Boston with me in Providence for a little bit. Uh Justin, go ahead. Uh Parker, just curious, uh what do you know about uh Dan Muse just heading into heading into this season with Pittsburgh? what have if if any initial conversations with him looked like as you’ve kind of familiar yourself familiarize yourself with the the situation you’re walking into and second part of that just do you have any uh expectations of just uh the system that’s going to be awaiting you and uh in Pittsburgh and how you’ll uh you’ll fit into it? Uh yeah I uh I’ve had a few good uh conversations with Dan. Um yeah uh he seems like a really good guy. I’ve heard I’ve heard good things. I’ve had uh a few players that I’ve uh talked to, you know, they say he’s going to be straightforward and uh he’s hardworking. So, kind of kind of right up my alley, so uh we’ll get along like that. But um yeah, nothing uh nothing to be shared uh too soon, but yeah, looking forward to uh to the opportunity. Um, you know, and just just getting out there and uh you know, putting on uh putting on putting on the skates and uh just going to work on the ice and you know, having a good first impression.

Connor Clifton, Caleb Jones, and Parker Wotherspoon answered questions from the media during the offseason following their recent signings to the Penguins.

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