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[beergirl-1]

Q&A with Ken Klee

1. Hey Ken, what was your reaction when the Leafs signed Calle Johansson & who is your roomate on the road?

Jordan

answer

I was surprised but happy to see Calle Johansson join our team last year. He was a great teammate of mine in Washington for 10 years. Gary Roberts is my roommate on the road.




2. Hey Ken, how did you keep yourself busy during this ultra-long offeason?

answer

Having two young boys can keep any parent very busy. I also enjoyed doing some activities that I am usually unable to do because of the season like hunting and skiing.




3. Hay Ken, first of all, I'd like to say that I was very excited when your signing was announced. I loved seeing you play in the Blue & White!

Which Leafs player did you become best aquainted with during your first year in Toronto, and what Leafs defenceman did you enjoy playing with the most?

Thanks for taking the time to write back, we know you have a life of your own. Best of luck with the rest of your career, and keep those great seasons commin

Sincerely, Dave

answer

I became best aquainted with Gary Roberts. He was my roommate and you spend a lot of time together on the road. I enjoyed playing with a lot of people, but I played the most with Thomas Kaberle




4. Hey, thanks for taking the time to do this, we all appreciate it.

My question is, where do you see yourself in the Leafs plans for next season, seeing as you are under contract, and the second part is, do you think the Leafs need to 'beef-up' their Defense core (ie: signing a unrestriced free agent), or do you feel you as a group can get the job done.

Thanks, Nick

answer

I am pleased to be under contract with the leafs for next season and I see myself as having a large veteran role on defense. We have a very good core of guys and we are all curious about who will be on the team in the future.





5. I admired your play in Washington, Ken. It's great to have you as a Leaf. I have some "technical" questions relating to the team's system.

How would you characterize the differerence's in Quinn's 1-2-2 system with other systems that you have played in terms of team defence ?

Are the pre-game adjustments presented by the coaching staff to deal with a particular opponent fairly easy to incorporate and execute with Quinn's system ?

Do you feel that there is a larger test of a player's ability to read and react to the play when excuting Quinn's system as opposed to other systems that you have played in your past ?

answer

Pat allows players to play the game, we have a basic system but he allows players to be very creative offensively. It does put a lot on players to read and react to the game and to be responsible defensively but as a veteran, I really enjoyed it. Other coaches I have had and heard about stress the defensive side sooooo much that players become afraid to make mistakes and thus afraid to make plays




6. Hey Ken

What was your reaction when the Leafs acquired All-Star Brian Leetch?

answer

I was excited, the chance to play with hall of fame players is one thing you really enjoy as a player. To watch them every day makes you appreciate how good they really are and Brian was awesome to watch.




7. Hi Ken, thanks so much for doing this for us!

I can't tell you how excited we were last season when we heard the announcement you would be a Leaf. We're very glad to have you, and hope you're around for a long time.

After last seasons playoffs, we heard about all the players that were playing injured and the surgeries that entailed after. When you had your shoulder injury towards end of the season, our hopes were pretty dashed. But you returned and played great playoff hockey. How was your shoulder in the playoffs? Completely healed or were you another that was toughing it out because of the playoffs?


answer

Injuries are a part of the game, unfortunately they can take away from some of your aspects of the game. Looking back I wish that I would have been healthier and been able to contribute more to the team. I would not miss the playoff's if there is any way to play.





8. Hi Ken

From all your fans here Welcome.

Is there a concerted effort to place an offensive defenceman with a defenseive minded one on the same shift or do they just see which ones are most comfortable with each other.

answer

I think that coaches just try to see which players complement each other well. Often times it is a offensive guy with a defensive guy.




9. Hey Ken

How does it feel to play in such a hockey crazy city? Do the fans ever make you want to push a little harder out on the ice?

answer

It was awesome playing in such a great hockey city. Being a american, I often make the comparison that playing for the leafs is like playing for the Yankees. The fans are great but as a professional, especially playing in Washington for 10 years, you have to give your best effort whether it is a huge game against Ottawa or a game in Carolina.




10. hi ken....my question is about the equipment...hwo many times do guys change their stick, and is it true that some players change their stick to a whole different brand in the middle of a game....also how often to players get theeir skates sharpened?


answer

Guys are very particular about their equipment and everyone is a little different. Guys change if they think, mentally, it will help them. I change when I think I need to and get my skates sharpened before every morning skate. You do see some crazy rituals




11. Hi Ken,

Many people feel that the Leafs are too old of a team. I don't want to put you on the spot, but how do you feel towards this? What do you think could be done to make the Leafs chances better at winning a Stanley Cup?

Thanks,

Crewe

answer

I do not think that our team was to old. Veterans win in this league. We had a great season with over 100 pts and just came up short against Philly. Who knows what the team will look like in the future???




12. Hi Ken,

I beleive you are the best defensmen the leafs have in terms of solid defensive play
My question is how did you develop this trait? Is it just natural skill or was there a coach/mentor who taught you to be so solid in your own end?

answer

Thank you for the great compliment. When you first break into league you have to be proficient defensively or you will not play. I try to work on my defensive play all the time and have had many good coaches who help me along the way.




13. Hey Ken, thanks for doing this. Who do you see as being the most promising leaf in the future? Who do you get along with best on the team?
Thanks, and keep up the great work next season.

answer

Matt Stajan has the potential to be a real good leaf for a long time. Gary Roberts





14. Morning Ken..

Been a Leaf fan since Adam was a pup..not easy in a Sen/Habs zone but a heck of a lot of fun
my first question was asked so I will go with....

How'd you keep in shape during this "stressing" lock out? And do you think it will be hard to get the rust out once the season begins, for those players who did not go to side teams?

Thanks for joining us
Kim

answer

I have done a lot of spinning to stay in shape along with my regular workouts of weights, stairmaster, core training and stadium stairs. I think that guys will come out flying once hockey starts, it will be interesting to watch injuries though



15. Hey Ken

Thanks for taking the time to do this!

What role do you see yourself playing with Leafs in the upcoming season?

answer

I will try to be a solid veteran defencemen to help the team to win. We could be adding several young players who need to be transitioned into solid NHL players.




16. Hey Ken!

I really appreciate you comming on to give us more of a pro view on some topics.

First question would be, you had some mediocore years in Washington and then you came to Toronto and exploded offensively. Also your defensive play REALLY picked up... What changed from your years in Washington to your year in Toronto?

Also about the rule changes... What do you really think the problem is? Do you really think that the goalies are to big and what is your idea on the proposed new net shapes which many of us in the chat space really hate?

Thanks alot for your time and I really hope you will be helping us all get to the Stanley Cup this upcomming year

answer

My offensive role was expanded when I came to the leafs. In Washington, I played with Gonchar and he was the offensive player and I was supposed to help him defensively. I try to fill my role on the team as best as I can no matter what the coaches ask of me.

I think that we have a great game and I hope that they do not make too many changes. I do think that shootout's would make the game more exciting for many fans




17. Hey Ken

What's your thoughts on all the interferance and clutching and grabbing and hooking that's in the game today?

answer

The players are big, strong men and many coaches put a huge stress on defensive hockey, this is why you see a lot of these things. I think that refs just have to keep calling it but not if the player dives or tries to make it look worse than it is. This diving garbage, makes me embarrassed and should not be tolerated.




18. Hey Ken, how was the experience of having Brain Leech as a Hall of famer?

answer

(same as above)

I was excited, the chance to play with hall of fame players is one thing you really enjoy as a player. To watch them every day makes you appreciate how good they really are and Brian was awesome to watch.




19. Hey Ken,

Like everyone else mentioned, thanks for taking time out to answer our many questions.

I was excited to hear of your signing with the Leafs last summer because I knew your style of play was just what our team needed.

Anyhow to my question... I was wondering what kind of atmosphere it was in the dressing room with your teammates when the team was on it's unbeaten streak near the beginning of the season, after a bit of a slow start. And secondly, what did it feel like to play in the ACC during the playoff run, particularly, helping eliminate the Sens.

Thanks Ken!

Kurt.

answer

I often tell people that being a professional athlete is awesome when you are winning. You can multiply that when you go over a month without losing in a hockey mecca like TO. The crowds at the ACC are great especially when you eliminate the Sens.




20. Hi Ken! Just wondering, what is the best city you've played in? Could I get an autograph?

answer

Toronto is the best City to play in. If you mail me a card to the ACC I will sign it and get it back to you.




21. Hey Ken.. hows it going?

well i feel like being random and asking a few weird questions... nothing too weird though...
so whats your favorite colour, number, animal, band and foods.... plus if you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?

Thanks for taking the time to answer all our questions...
hope to see you on the ice along with the rest of the leafs next season!!

--- stephanie ---

answer

My favorite animals are dogs, I have two. I really like lots of music, but I listen to Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw quite a bit. I love steak for dinner and I spend my off-season in Colorado up in the mountains, I will live here forever.



22. Thanks for doing this Ken,

My question is do you find a greater pressure to bring home the cup when playing in a city where it hasn't been present since 1968?

answer

Winning is expected everywhere, but in Toronto people believe it should happen every year and I love the expectation. I play to win.