6 with the Tricks: Kruz Listmayer

Welcome back to "6 with the Tricks," where we get to know the newest Danbury Hat Tricks in six questions. Today, we sat down with defenseman Kruz Listmayer! Listmayer is a hulking 22-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Coming in at 6'3", 201 pounds, he is a bruising presence on the Danbury blue line.

Let's check in with Kruz!

Q: What are your expectations as you make the jump to pro hockey? What type of game do you want to play?

Kruz Listmayer: I’m excited! I know it’ll be different from playing junior, y'know a more physical and faster paced game. But I feel as long as I take in as much information from the coaches and trainers and adapt to everything quick to help my team out every night, I’ll fit in perfectly fine. I see myself as a strong defensive d-man that will battle in corners and help make a good first pass out of our zone. Also not afraid to hop into the play when needed to help generate offense!

Q: You’ve got good hockey genes in your family, especially with your uncle Colton Orr playing in the NHL. What kind of influence did they have for your development?

KL: Yeah, growing up having both of my uncles playing junior and pro hockey was a pretty cool thing to have. I got to watch them grow and develop from young teenagers in the WHL to both pro players and one having a great career in the NHL and I feel like watching them help pave my way in hockey. I wanted to be just like them when I got old enough! They both definitely had big roles in helping me develop, from even just watching how hard they had to work to make it to the next level. All the information they passed down to me about the game and off ice training...I owe a lot to them for always helping me out, pushing me to always work my hardest, and always answering the questions I would have. 

Q: You’re now a long way from Neepawa and your home in Winnipeg. I imagine having Uncle Colton close by helps, but what are you going to miss most about home?

KL: Yeah, Neepawa is where I played most of my junior career and it wasn’t too far from Winnipeg where I lived, it’ll be different for me. But I’m excited to get to Danbury and get settled in, and having my uncle there with me will help. It's nice to have someone to talk to and give me advice, and just being able to hang out with him and the rest of the family will be great! I would say I’ll probably miss my friends and family the most throughout the year. 

Q: You were the first skater signed by the Hat Tricks. What are your early impressions of coach McCreary?

KL: When Coach McCreary first called and talked to me, I could tell he meant business. He wants to succeed and improve his players. I’m excited to be coached by him and the rest of the staff, I feel like he will push the team to our very best so we can be successful every game!

Q: What’s your go-to pre-game meal? Who’s on the pre-game playlist?

KL: My go-to pre game meal is always chicken breast with brown rice and a spinach salad. Been the same meal I’ve eaten before every game since 17 years old! My pre-game playlist has a lot of upbeat songs to get me going before games. A lot of Drake, Future, Motley Crüe, Meek Mill, Migos, David Guetta, Martin Garix, etc. 

Q: Favorite player growing up? Own any notable jerseys?

KL: Obviously my favourite (editor's note: Canadian spelling is adorable) player growing up was my uncle Colton, I have tons of his jersey in my house I loved watching him play! But I also really enjoyed watching Chris Pronger play growing up. He was a big and exciting player that I felt I could try and structure my game after.

***

You can catch Kruz in action in the Danbury Hat Tricks' home opener Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available here or by calling 203-794-1704.