December 28, 2011
Hanging Out With ... Patrick Kaleta
by Jesse Connolly/Staff Writer
What other sports did you play as a kid?
“I played baseball for a bit, and when lacrosse picked up in the area, I played that all the way up to sophomore year of high school.”
Who’s the hardest goalie to beat in the NHL?
“I’d say Ryan Miller. I have to face him every day at practice.”
Who’s the fastest player you’ve ever gone up against?
“Probably Marian Gaborik. He’s explosive and speedy.”
Who’s the last player you’d want to lay a big hit on you?
“Zdeno Chara, just because of his size.”
If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go?
“Every year I try to go somewhere different that I haven’t been before. Most of my vacation time is spent here in Buffalo.”
If your luggage was lost, what would you miss the most?
“Probably my phone or my iPad.”
Do you have any pets?
“I have an English bulldog named Reesie, and I have a lizard named Leonidis that I’ve had since the Rochester days.”
What was the worst course you had to take in school?
“I wasn’t too good of a singer, so probably music/chorus. When we had to sing in music class, it wasn’t something I wanted to be a part of.”
If forced to do karaoke, what song would you pick?
“I’ve been trying to calm it down a bit this year, so I’ve been jamming out to Adele. Probably one of her songs.”
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
“I think the coolest character would be the blue girl in ‘X-Men’ (Mystique) because she can change into whoever she wants to be. If I was going to meet a celebrity, I could change into another celebrity and maybe have better luck than with the way I look right now.”
What’s your favorite jersey in all of sports (other than your own)?
“I’m going to say my junior team, the Peterborough Petes, just because of the history and the tradition that goes along with it.”
FAVORITES
Movie: “300”
TV shows: “Entourage,” “Family Guy” and “Pawn Stars”
Band/artist: Adele
Book: “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom
Magazine: I scroll through Maxim once in a while
NHL player growing up: “Mike Peca for sure.”
Restaurant: “I usually eat at Edie’s Pizzeria in Hamburg. If you go there, you can order the Kaleta club.”
Hobby: “Doing Legos.”
Store: Toys ‘R’ Us
EITHER/OR
Pizza or Chinese food: Pizza
“The Office” or “Mad Men”: “The Office”
“Star Wars” or “Star Trek”: “‘Star Wars.’ They come up with some sick Legos.”
Letterman, Leno or Conan: Conan
Day games or night games: Night games
Yankees or Mets: “Mets by far.”
IN YOUR BAG
Skates: Bauer
Gloves: Warrior
Stick: Easton
Helmet: CCM
This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of New York Hockey Journal.
Jesse Connolly can be reached at feedback@nyhockeyjournal.com
