Q and A with Windsor Spitfires D-Man Craig Duininck
To say Craig Duininck had a storybook first season of major junior hockey is an understatement. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defenseman was part of a talented Windsor Spitfires club that steamrolled their way to a 2nd consecutive Memorial Cup title in 2010. He is also coming off an impressive showing at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, where he and his USA teammates captured a silver medal. In 57 games played with the Spits last season, Duininck put up 12 points, was a plus-14, and had 30 minutes in penalties. He played with the smarts and savvy of an OHL vet at the age of 16. The St. Cloud, Minnesota native was praised for his defensive play during the year, but he does have some untapped offensive potential as well. In 2008-09, he racked up 24 goals and 50 points in 55 games with his Detroit Compuware U16 team. Which, was a big reason Windsor snatched the talented blueliner in the 4th round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. Duininck is a good skater, plays a strong physical game, has great vision, and makes smart choices with the puck. His intelligence in the game of hockey, and in life, is far beyond his years and will undoubtedly take him further down his career path. With numerous players leaving the Spits this season, he will be looked upon to fill an even bigger roll, and the 17-year-old seems more than fit for the task. I had a chance to catch up with the young defenseman, who is quickly moving up the prospect ranks for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, for a quick Q and A.
Who has helped you the most in developing into the player you are today?
Craig: I’d have to say that my family has helped me the most in my development. They are the kind of people that don’t push you beyond belief, and they are the kind of people that know how dedicated I am personally as a player, so they just give me helpful advice when I need it and helpful support.
You won Academic Player of the Month a couple times with the Spits this season, what made you choose the OHL rather than going the collegiate route as you are academically inclined as well.
Craig: The only real difference between Major Junior and the college route is playing college or Major Junior hockey. There is no difference in the education. School is as hard as you make it. I push myself in school to get the most out of it. I knew that when making my decision so I just felt that the hockey fit me as a player better than the USHL. I feel I made the right choice.
You stepped in this year as a 16-year-old and played with the poise of a veteran defenseman. What do you believe your strengths are as a hockey player, and is there anything you would like to improve on moving forward?
Craig: I feel that I am a mature player that is patient with the puck and makes good choices with it. I won’t just throw it up the middle or make many turn overs in a game. I have a good physical presence on the ice and play a solid defensive game in my own end. I think that the part of my game that needs the most improvement is getting shots to the net from the point more consistently.
What was your ‘welcome moment’ to the OHL?
Craig: I’d say my biggest welcoming moment would be when we were playing Plymouth in the 2nd game of the year. We came back from trailing 5-2 and put it into overtime, I rushed the puck down the wall and took a slap shot off the crossbar to almost win the game. I feel it showed my team and the fans what to expect the rest of the year.
Is there an NHLer that you model your game after?
Craig: I try to model my game after Brent Burns. I feel that he is a very good defensive player and he likes to throw a bit of offense in his game too. He is very fun to watch and plays with a lot of heart.
You won the Memorial Cup this season in your first year of CHL hockey, where does that experience rank as far as your career highlights thus far?
Craig: The experience of winning the Memorial Cup is definitely at the top of my list for my accomplishments. It’s the hardest trophy to win in sports, and being part of the team I was, I think our expectations were nothing less than winning it.
You had quite a few fights this season, was there one that stood out as your favourite tilt?
Craig: A couple stand out in my head. The biggest one I think was against Darren Archibald when he hit our goalie in the last minute of the championship series. He is a big, tough guy, and I feel I stood up for my team well, and showed them there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.
Who was your toughest opponent team wise?
Craig: Our toughest opponent I would have to say was Kitchner. They put us down 3 games to 0 in the 3rd round of the playoffs and really made our team come together to come back and win that series in 7 games. They have a great fan base and are a tough team to play against.
A lot of guys like to talk trash on the ice, what is the funniest chirp you’ve heard while playing?
Craig: The funniest or worst chirp I got all year had to be when one of my good friend from the year before said in front of the net after I knocked him over, “Hey tough guy, who do you think you are?” and then I let him up and he turned around and was like, “Oh, hey Duininck sorry about that.”
You recently represent the USA at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Tournament. You guys settled for silver, but how do you feel the team played overall?
Craig: I’d have to say that our team met my expectations. I knew we had a very good team and were a big power in the tournament. I also new that teams like Russia, Canada and Sweden would have really strong teams too. We knew we had the team to win the gold medal, but we just ended up falling one goal short.
Who, in your opinion, made the biggest impact for the American squad, and who was the most underrated player on the club?
Craig: Our best player had to be Cason Hohmann. He always plays fast and quick, and finished with 6 or 7 points. He was always looking to set up his teammates, but when it comes down to putting the puck in the net he is never shy. The most underrated player on our team was probably Lukas Sutter. A major junior power forward, he loves scoring goals in the crease and going to the dirty areas. He works extremely hard in his own end, and his favorite hobby is forechecking.
Okay, back to the OHL. The Spits are going to lose some top-end talent this season, but still have a very solid nucleus and have added Jack Campbell and possibly Russian sniper Alexander Khokhlachev to the mix. Is it exciting to go into this season knowing you guys are legitimate contenders again, where as most clubs once they lose players like Taylor Hall, Dale Mitchell, and Eric Wellwood would most likely be in a rebuilding phase.
Craig: It is very exciting seeing the roster that we have for the next season. We have to give credit to our GM Warren Rychel for bringing in all kinds of players. The last couple years the Spitfires have been the place to be and to develop to make it to the next level. We’re just hoping to keep that up as a team and as an organization.
What do you like to do in your downtime from hockey?
Craig: In my downtime I really like a good relaxing game of golf or even mini golf. I also like to play cards with my buddies, and just relaxing in general always feels good.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Craig: The only hidden talent that comes to mind is at the bowling alley. I bowl a pretty consistent 200, and after bowling I’m also pretty good at the crane game in the arcade.
Who, in your opinion, was the hardest player to defend against one-on-one in the OHL last season?
Craig: The hardest player that I defended all year had to be either (Tyler) Seguin or (Jeff) Skinner. They are both very active point scorers and extremely fast, and sometimes you just find them behind you before you even see them go by. They know how to find the open areas of the rink and will make you pay for any little mistake.
What is your favourite pre game meal?
Craig: My favorite pre game meal has to be a peanut butter and banana double decker sandwich. There is nothing like it, and there is just something about it that gets me prepared to play a tough game.
Favourite pump up song?
Craig: “Burn it to the Ground” by Nickelback. I listen to it in my car right before I get to the rink, and it’s the song our team listens to as we go out to start the game.
January 7th, 2011
Hi Craig,
My name is John Hornibrook and I’m a St. Cloud guy also. I went to school with your dad and Paul. My parents were best friends with your grandparents. I have really enjoyed watching you develop. Thank god for the internet. Say hi to your dad and good luck. You are really fun to watch.