Short Interview With Jordan Binnington
Recently, I was able to sit down and commence an emailed interview with St. Louis Blues goaltending prospect, Jordan Binnington. He was very gracious to share some inside information with us here at Bleedin’ Blue.
Binnington, 19, is a native of Richmond Hill, Ontario was drafted by the Blues, 88th overall, in the 2011 NHL entry draft. He has played the last four seasons with the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League. He was named to the Canadian world junior club this past season and was awarded the Goaltender of the year honors this past season after posting a 32-12-6 record. He also set personal bests in goals against average (2.17) and save percentage (.932).
Please enjoy question and answer session posted below!
BB : You were named Ontario Hockey League Goaltender of the Year this season playing with the Owen Sound Attack. What was the key to your success this year?
JB : It was pretty special to me to win that award. An award like that there’s no one to thank more than your teammates because with any individual award any player will tell you that you couldn’t have done it without your teammates.
Jordan Binnington (Image by Terry Wilson/OHL Images)
BB : You’ve spent the last four years playing in Owen Sound. What is the biggest thing you’ve learned in the last four years?
JB : The Attack have given me every opportunity to develop as a player and person over the past four years. The ownership and management is willing to give you what you need as long as you come to the rink everyday to get better and work hard. One thing that I have learned throughout my time with Owen Sound, is that you get what you put into it. Meaning if your willing to sacrifice and put your best effort in day in day out you will have a positive outcome.
BB : You got your first taste of professional hockey last year with the Peoria Rivermen. What did you learn about the differences between junior hockey and pro hockey?
JB : There’s no doubt that the game is much faster and with more skilled players. The more experienced players are smarter and can read the game better both offensively and defensively.
BB : You’ll be turning pro this year and joining Matt Climie in net for the Chicago Wolves, the new Blues American Hockey Leauge affiliate. Climie has been the starter for the Wolves the last two seasons. What must you do to try and unseat him as the starting goaltender?
JB : Whatever the case may be next season, no matter where you are there are people that want to take your job. Whoever your goalie partner is you’d want them to push you to be the best you can be and vice versa. All you can worry about is to be ready for your opportunity.
BB : Did the Blues tell you to work on anything in particular this off season?
JB : Nothing in particular, just to hit the gym this summer. I understand that I need to get stronger and quicker to be ready for whatever the case may be next year.
BB : On the Blues website, they have you listed at 6’2, 162lbs. Is this listing accurate or have you added to your frame more?
JB : Yes it is correct. It is really weird, my biceps have grown a substantial amount over the past year so it will be interesting to see what I’m at the next time I hop on a scale.
BB : Growing in up Canada, what goaltender did you look up to the most?
JB : Growing up I was a big Curtis Joseph fan.
BB : You were drafted in the third round back in 2011, what was it like waiting for your named to be called and what were your feelings when the Blues picked you, 88th overall?
JB : It was such an awesome time, I was really excited about being drafted by the Blues and glad that my family was there with me.
BB : The Blues have a wealth of good goaltending prospects including yourself, Jake Allen, and Niklas Lundstrom. What do you have to do to prove to the Blues that you have what it takes to become an NHL goaltender?
JB : I just have to be myself and be ready to take advantage of any opportunity in front of me.
BB : To finish this off, for the Blues fans who aren’t familiar with you, what would you say is your best asset and what do you need to work on the most to become an NHL goaltender?
JB : I try to be as relaxed and as composed as I can on the ice. One thing that I’m working on throughout this summer is getting stronger and faster, I’m going to be working at my puck handling ability on the ice because it is a big part of the game today and it could allow me to help the defense as well.
So for any of you who didn’t know who Jordan Binnington was, hopefully you enjoyed this article and you were able to learn something new about the Blues former third round draft pick.
I’d like to thank Jordan for taking the time out of his off season to answer some questions for us here on Bleedin’ Blue and help the fans learn a little more about him.
Randall Ritchey
randallritchey@gmail.com