AW) What is your official title and what do you do?
MP) Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations
In a nutshell, I am the team’s radio broadcaster and PR Director. I am also in charge of all press releases, publications and Web site

AW) What first got you interested in Hockey?
MP)  I started skating when I was four-years old and the rest is history!

AW)  When did you first get the idea to become a radio play-by-play announcer?
MP)  In college when I was working for the campus TV station at UW-Stevens Point

AW) What was your first job calling a game?
MP)  It was a Stevens Point hockey game. I don’t really remember much about it except that I lost my voice!

AW) How did you find out about the IceHogs and what appealed to you about the job?
MP)  I went to high school in Rockford and after college I returned to Rockford. I applied for an internship and here I am six-plus years later.

AW) How have you changed your play by play style over time? Are there many changes as you changed leagues?
MP) It’s hard to say how I’ve changed. I’d like to think that I’ve improved. I’ve picked up some pointers from listening and talking with other broadcasters.

AW) Other than the Championship game, what was your favorite game to call?
MP)  Besides Game Seven of last season’s Colonial Cup Championship, I’d have to say this season’s first AHL game. Almost everyone in the sports industry wants to make it to the highest league possible, and for me personnaly, that was big step in making the jump from the UHL to the AHL.

AW) What other broadcasters have influenced your style? Who do you enjoy hearing call a game?
MP)  I really enjoy listening to Pat Foley, who coincidentally is now the broadcaster for the Chicago Wolves. He use to call Chicago Blackhawks games. I don’t think that I sound like him as I believe everyone has their own unique style, but he is a broadcaster that I enjoy listening to.

AW) What is it like to travel with the team?
MP)  It can be strenuous. A lot of late nights and early mornings. I do enjoy getting to know the players and coaches off the ice and away from hockey. These guys are almost exclusively viewed by fans in hockey situations and it’s cool to get to know them outside of the game. There have been some great personalities that have come through Rockford over the years. It’s like one big family!

AW) What cities are your favorite to travel to? Why?
MP)  So far I have enjoyed Toronto and San Antonio the most. We stay in downtown Toronto when we go there (right by Wayne Gretzky’s restaurant) and the rink there is perfect for AHL hockey. It’s a very cool city. As for San Antonio, the River Walk is awesome and the weather is great. After that, I would say Providence and Cleveland (yes I said Cleveand!) have been good stops. I also like Houston because I have family there.

AW) What cities are your least favorite to travel to? Why?
MP)  Overall, I think that Flint, Mich is my least favorite stop. They of course played in the old UHL, but I didn’t really like the arena and the area in which we stayed.

AW) Who is the coolest person you have met doing your job?
MP)  I’ve been fortunate to meet a few interesting people over the past few years doing this so it’s hard to pinpoint one. My short list would include Mick Foley, John McDonough, Dennis Savard, Dale Tallon, Chris Chelios and recenlty Sergei Samsonov.

AW) Who has been your favorite player to interview?
MP)  Believe it or not, my favorite player interviews are usually from the opposing teams. I would say my favorite is Guy Dupuis who plays for the Fort Wayne Komets. As for my favorite IceHogs’ player to interview, I’d say Jason Ralph.

AW)  What past IceHogs player has been your favorite player to watch? What current IceHogs player is someone we should be keeping an eye on?
MP)  I liked watching Nathan Lutz play the past several years here in Rockford. There are a bunch of current IceHogs players to keep your eye on. Not to get to lengthy, I’d say Kris Versteeg, Corey Crawford and Petri Kontiola are three to definitely keep your eye on.

AW) What has impressed you the most about these IceHogs? What has surprised you?
MP)  I think the thing that impresses me and surprises me would be how down to earth and approachable hockey players are. I think we get an image of elite professional athletes in our heads and make them out to be a bit pompus. Hockey players are great to work with and it’s a joy to watch them interact with kids.

AW) Who is your favorite player to watch from another team? Why?
MP)  That’s a tough question because we see so many great players every night. If I had to narrow it down, I would have to say Chicago’s Jason Krog. He really stands out in the AHL and even though we’ve only played the Wolves four times, he seems to always burn us.

AW) Which other teams pose the biggest challenge for the IceHogs in the quest for the cup this season?
MP)  The obvious challenge is the Wolves. They are a bit older and have probably the best offense in the league. But I think if the IceHogs play there game, this team will be extremely tough to beat.

AW) Is our division the toughest in the league? If not, where’s the toughest fight to be found?
MP)  Judging by the records of the teams in the West Division, I would say it is the toughest division. It’s the only division with eight teams, and it’s also the only division to have all of its teams at the .500 mark or better. There are no easy games though.