UND men's hockey: Four questions with Andrew MacWilliam

Q. When did you carve out your role as a physical defenseman?

A. It started pretty early. I've been playing defense since novice, which could explain a few of my lack of offensive abilities. Ever since Peewee, I've been physical. I played football growing up, which I think added to that. It kind of helped me with that component. I've always been a bigger guy. I think that helped me, too. It was something that came with the territory.

Q. How long did you play football?

A. I played football for five years, I think. My last year was before high school. I had to basically choose. I was playing football, basketball and hockey. I was actually a better football player than a hockey player. I played fullback, linebacker and I actually kicked, too. But being in Canada, there's not much football and I loved hockey.

Q. When did your mother, who is Australian, start learning about hockey?

A. Probably when she got here. She's been here for a while. . . 20-some years. She never really played, but she used to teach us skating when we were younger, even though she couldn't skate herself. So, I guess, that could be another problem I had. She coaches a sport called netball. My dad played football. He played at a young age. My uncle played hockey and was pretty good at it, but my dad stuck with football.

Q. You had a shoulder operation before you came to UND. Were you able to lift upper-body last year?

A. No, I was strictly lower body my incoming summer before freshman year. I had to do rehab on my shoulders. . . light band work. I couldn't work the chest. I was able to do it this summer, though. It helped a lot. I was here for a couple months working with Pooly (trainer Mark Poolman) and the guys. Being able to do full-body workouts was nice, that's for sure.

Andrew MacWilliam

Number: 2.

Position: Defenseman.

Class: Sophomore.

Hometown: Calgary.

Size: 6-2, 220.

Previous team: Camrose (AJHL).

NHL rights: Toronto Maple Leafs.

Major: Entrepreneurship.

Favorite movie: Forrest Gump.

Favorite actor: Denzel Washington.

Favorite TV shows: Seinfeld and Entourage.

Favorite restaurant in GF: Sanders.

Favorite restaurant in Calgary: Kinjo Sushi and Grill.

Favorite food: Sushi or steak.

Childhood hero: Wendel Clark.

Favorite teams: Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.