August 7, 2011
Hanging Out With ... Lee Stempniak
by Jesse Connolly/Staff Writer
Lee Stempniak (photo: Getty Images)
Phoenix Coyotes
Right Wing
West Seneca, N.Y.
Which sports teams did you grow up rooting for?
“Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees and Buffalo Sabres”
What kind of jobs did you have before you became a pro hockey player?
“Worked at a pool store, hockey pro shop, counselor at hockey camps and had an internship on Wall Street.”
What was the first car that you owned?
“Used GMC Jimmy”
If you were running for president, which teammate would you want as your VP?
“Adrian Aucoin. He loves to hold court and is one of the funniest teammates ever. He seems like someone the American people can rally around, even though he’s Canadian.”
What was your “Welcome to the NHL” moment?
“The first shift of my first NHL game I lined up against my boyhood idol, Steve Yzerman.”
What do you have to bring with you on the road?
“I always bring my iPad, a book, toothbrush and clean underwear.”
What do you like to do during the offseason?
“Relax and visit family and friends that I don’t get to see very much during the season. I play golf and go to the beach. I spend a lot of time with my wife and black lab when I’m not training.”
If there was a movie made about your life, which actor would you want to play you?
“Ben Affleck. He seems like a cool guy, and I would like to have a beer with him. I also love ‘Good Will Hunting’ and find it very impressive that he and Matt Damon wrote it.”
What’s the best nickname anyone has ever given you?
“The two nicknames I’ve been given are pretty generic: simply ‘Stemp’ or ‘Stemper.’”
FAVORITES
Vacation spot: Italy
Home-cooked meal: Steak
Restaurant: Buffalo Chophouse
Movie: “The Wedding Crashers”
TV show: “Family Guy”
Late-night TV host: Conan O’Brien
Musician: Bruce Springsteen
NHL player growing up: Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman
Athlete outside of hockey: Roger Federer
IN YOUR BAG
Skates: Bauer
Gloves: Easton
Stick: Easton
Helmet: Easton
This article originally appeared in the July 2011 issue of New York Hockey Journal.
