Tate Maris
Number: 35.
Position: Goaltender.
Class: Junior.
Hometown: Denver.
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Size: 5-10, 175.
Previous team: Bozeman (NPHL).
NHL rights: Free agent.
Major: Accounting.
Favorite movie: Dumb and Dumber or Inception.
Favorite TV show: Arrested Development.
Favorite restaurant: Einstein's Bagels.
Favorite food: Hawaiian food.
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Favorite band: AFI.
Favorite pro sports team: Chicago Blackhawks.
Favorite road trip: Anchorage.
Would like to have dinner with: Randy Marsh and Dallas Green.
Q. Do you feel like your game has progressed in your time here, working with goalie coach Karl Goehring?
A. Absolutely. My first year was tough, getting back in the groove of things from a year off. Karl's attention to detail is so good. He's good for every one of us. He caters to each of our styles. He's consistently working with us. He's very supportive of all three of us. I can always go up to him and have a conversation about whatever -- hockey or something else. He's a really good guy to have around.
Q. Is it hard to progress your game when you aren't getting much game action?
A. That's more of a mental thing, showing up ready to play, whether it's going to happen or not. I come with the same attitude and mindset, pushing the other goaltenders and myself. If and when the time comes, I feel I'm ready for game action. I feel more solid, more confident being in the net. The times that I have played (in exhibitions), I thought I'd be more nervous than I was. I felt right at home.
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Q. Was it a big adjustment to practice against guys like Matt Frattin after playing in juniors in Montana?
A. It's completely different. The biggest difference was not necessarily how hard the shots are coming or the placement, but these guys are much more consistent. In Bozeman, there would be a good shot in practice once. It happens every shot here in North Dakota. And I think the hardest part for me was taking the year off (between juniors and UND). Trying to ramp up to the speed at the Division I level definitely wasn't easy. It was a bumpy road getting back into it, but that's water under the bridge now.
Q. I hear you're quite a guitar player. How did you get started and can you tell us about that?
A. I started quite a while ago. My dad was always an avid Beetles listener. He played acoustic guitar. It's just something I had around and asked to learn and I was probably about 12 years old or so when I started. I progressed and played through high school. I've done a couple shows here and a couple back in Denver. I played at the Urban Stampede a couple times and once at Rhombus Guys. I'll be here all summer, so It's probably something I'll do again. For me, it's an escape from hockey and school. We come to the rink so focused and ready to go, it's nice to let go of everything and listen to music.
