May 1, 2008

Kevin Wey

The third time may be the charm for Waterloo Black Hawks right-winger Billy Maday. Maday went undrafted in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft after scoring 38 goals and 87 assists in 74 games in Midget AAA for the Chicago Chill. He was then bypassed in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft after a serious wrist injury limited him to 10 goals and 11 assists in 33 games. This season, Maday led the Black Hawks in scoring during the regular season with 24 goals and 35 assists in 60 games and helped Waterloo win 16 of their final 18 games. With his tremendous shot, playmaking abilities, some physical play, and leadership by example, he is raising his stock as the 2008 Draft approaches.

McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey was recently able to talk with Maday during the first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs and discussed his strong 2007-08, his wrist injury suffered in 2006-07, the development of his game, his exploits in Midget, and his commitment to Notre Dame.

McKeen's: You had a strong finish to the regular season and were able to pass Blake Kessel for the team lead in points with 24 goals and 35 assists. How did it feel to have such a good season, especially after the difficulties with the wrist last year?

Maday: Exactly. It was a relief. I came in really motivated this season to be really successful and help my team as best I can and the best I know how, and that's by putting points on the board. It's a tribute to my teammates as well, because my goals, a lot of them were based on setups from them. I'm fortunate to play with some really good players on this team. So, overall, I was pretty satisfied.

McKeen's: With the wrist, you suffered that the day after Thanksgiving last year and missed significant time. How did that injury happen and what was the rehab process coming back from that?

Maday: Well, it was like you said, the day after Thanksgiving. We were playing against Cedar Rapids in our annual series and I was part of the game-winning goal, what would be the game-winning goal, and my next shift I kind of got checked from behind a little bit and I went into the boards kind of funny and my wrist just snapped, I guess you could say. From then on, it was a grueling rehab process. My wrist was immobile for about six weeks, and then after that it was really intense to get my mobility back. I like to think it's 100 percent now, but it's never going to be the way it once was.

McKeen's: What was the severity of the injury, then, if I might ask?

Maday: Yeah. It was a broken radial bone, is what they said, and I needed surgery and they put seven or eight pins in it. I looked like RoboCop for a while, and I couldn't do anything about it other than stay in shape by moving my legs. Coming back from that, it was hard to get my shot back and I tried stickhandling as much as I could off the ice. Finally, I feel that health-wise, that it doesn't even phase me anymore.

McKeen's: Watching you on occasion this year, I have not noticed any negative effects this year, as I have seen you fire hard shots with consistency this year. So it looks like you're doing pretty well.

Maday: Yeah, and I'm trying to shoot the puck more, because every shot in this league can be a good shot, it can go in. I just try to fire as many as I can.

McKeen's: Kind of like Gretzky said, "100 percent of the shots you don't take, don't score."

Maday: Exactly, exactly.

McKeen's: In what ways do you feel you have improved over last season and what are some of the areas you have been focusing on improving with the Black Hawks?

Maday: Well, first off all, I guess you could say I'm kind of thin, so I try to improve my strength every summer, and during the season. I've put on some weight since last year. I'm a little more physical than last year and my confidence is also a little higher than last year, so I'm not afraid to try the little stuff that I wouldn't normally last season, being a rookie and all. I feel like I'm a playmaker and I can make my teammates better and, in turn, I guess they make me better, because I got a lot of goals this season that I didn't really expect to get. I guess when I pass them the puck, it just finds a way back to me.

McKeen's: Do you tend to find you are a more physical player on smaller ice sheets, as opposed to the Olympic ice sheet you play at here in Waterloo?

Maday: Yeah. It's just the nature of the game. When you play on a small sheet, you're going to run into somebody eventually. I don't exactly go out head-hunting, but if the opportunity presents itself, I will not shy away.

McKeen's: Coaches always like that, and it's always good to play bigger than one's size. You have touched on this a little bit, but what do you feel are your strengths as a player?

Maday: I'd say, like I said, playmaking. I like to make a quick pass, outlet pass, whoever's open, I like to give them the puck as quickly as possible and move to the open space. I think my vision is probably my biggest asset. I'd like to think I have a really good work ethic. I never quit, and I'll do whatever it takes for my team to win the game.

McKeen's: What were some of the biggest adjustments you faced last season coming out of Midget AAA hockey?

Maday: There were a number of things. Midget hockey is significantly different than junior hockey. The amount of games is kind of similar, but the intensity is second to none here. You have to bring it every night, you can't shy away after any shift, and there's a lot more things off the ice that you need to handle responsibility-wise. It was tough getting accustomed to a new housing family, different kinds of food, and just a whole new schedule. But, I think by the end of the season I was pretty comfortable.

McKeen's: I read that you almost won a national championship with the Chicago Chill, just losing to the Boston Jr. Bruins. Tell me about that and also, what happened to the Chill organization after that?

Maday: Okay. Well, yeah, I played with the Chicago Chill midget major team and we had a number of players who went on to play in the USHL and have gotten Division I scholarships. So, we had a really good team and we lost a heartbreaker in double overtime to the Boston Jr. Bruins. Like I said, we had a really good team and that was kind of the last hoorah. It's now defunct. It became the Chicago Fury. I don't exactly know how it all went down, I just know it's not the Chill anymore. I had a really good coach with the Chill and he taught me a lot and I'd have to say he developed me to the player I am today.

McKeen's: One of those teammates I suspect you are referring to is Calle Ridderwall.

Maday: Yep.

McKeen's: Tell me a bit about him and his game.

Maday: Calle, he's a tremendously talented forward. I got to play with him for one season. We were linemates and we complemented each other really well. I think we combined, we each had, I think, 125 points. We were always a part of each other's goals. He's playing for Notre Dame now. He had a pretty big game in the semifinal against Michigan. He's a great player and I'm looking forward to meeting back up with him at Notre Dame next year.

McKeen's: That transitions perfectly into my next question. When did you first start talking with Notre Dame, what was the recruiting process like with them, and why did you pick them?

Maday: My recruiting process, I would have to say, is a lot different than most people's. I committed pretty early, out of midgets there. It just kind of happened pretty fast. I previously had only talked to one team, and that was Army. Notre Dame had been kind of following under the radar and it came time for our state championship and me and Calle both had tremendous games in our series. And after our second game they just kind of offered me and Calle at the same time, and we verbally committed I think, the following week, because we saw where the program was headed and what kind of coaching staff there was and players going there. And we just felt, not so much in the academics, but we just felt it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

McKeen's: Tell me a little more about that, because for you, watching what Notre Dame has achieved lately, that's got to be pretty exciting for you since you get to look forward to playing there next year.

Maday: Definitely. I had the opportunity to play there this season, but I felt it was in my best interest to come back here for another year. So, it's been fun following them, and they've had a really successful season. I just hope that when I get there I can be an impact player and help them achieve a national championship.

McKeen's: When they recruited both you and Calle, was that with the intention of bringing you two back together and keeping you two as a pair?

Maday: I don't really know what coach [Jeff] Jackson's intentions are. I feel like he'll just do what he sees fit. If I had to guess, I don't think he'd put us together right away. He's going to have to see what I can bring to the table, but if he does (put us together), I think we wouldn't have any trouble falling back to our old selves.

McKeen's: Now, you are a third-year-eligible player for the NHL Entry Draft and you have had a good season and play a solid all-around game. Have any NHL teams expressed interest in you so far this year?

Maday: I have not spoken to any NHL teams. Through my assistant coach's word, I've heard they've expressed interest. So, I'm not really expecting too much going into this summer, but if I ever do get a chance to get drafted, it would be an absolute honor and it's one of my dreams to play in the NHL, so I'd be pretty excited.

McKeen's: Have you had to fill out any surveys or things like that, or the psychology test Blake Kessel said the Islanders had him do last season?

Maday: I've heard all about them. They all say I'm lucky, I don't have to fill them out. But, I haven't had the opportunity yet to fill any of those out.

McKeen's: Of course, if you don't get drafted, there are a number of USHL alumni signing as free agents out of college, a number of whom didn't have nearly the numbers you have.

Maday: Right. There's obviously a lot more opportunities to get to the NHL. A lot of guys are leaving college early. I'd be willing to take whatever road I need to get to the NHL. So, I'm not ruling that out.

McKeen's: I have read you skated Midget AA with the Chicago Huskies, but I'm not certain what other organizations you may have skated for. So, what other organizations did you play for and when?

Maday: That was the only organization I'd played for prior to the Chicago Chill. We played Double A. I got a relatively late start. I didn't start playing travel until I was a pee wee. I was with that same coach from the Chill, though, all the way up, and he developed me. He's taught me, pretty much, everything I know, aside from P.K. O'Handley (Waterloo Black Hawks head coach). We won the Tier II national championship our bantam major year. I have great memories with that group of guys and that coach and that organization.

McKeen's: Who was that coach, and who, along with P.K., have been influential and important in your development as a hockey player?

Maday: His name is Anders Sorenson. He came from Sweden. He played pro hockey. He kind of taught us all puck possession and some creativity, and I think it really helped my hockey sense as a player, because I'm always looking for (pauses), I'd like to think I play more of a European style than a typical North American. I think it's because of him. Also, P.K. O'Handley has been extremely instrumental in my development defensively and, I guess, bringing it every night and encouraging me to be a good leader and stuff like that. Those are probably the two biggest hockey teachers in my life, and obviously I have to mention my parents. All the support I've gotten over the years has just been absolutely a blessing.

McKeen's: Earlier in the season I did a similar interview with your teammate Nick Larson, in the fall, and he praised your skill, work ethic, and leadership and said he was just impressed watching you, and that's when I started paying more attention to you. Tell me a bit about your leadership role this season with the Black Hawks and who your teammates are that help you with that?

Maday: This is a new role for me, wearing a letter. I'm learning it as I go. My fellow captains, Brett Olson and Blake Kessel and Paul Weisgarber, we come together and discuss what we think needs to happen with the team and we try to get everyone on the same page. I think we've done a really good job of that, especially down the stretch here, as you could tell, our record was really solid. I think I've done a pretty good job in my first year as a leader, but as far as guys who help me out, I have to mention some teammates back in the day, like Mike Embach and Mike Seidel, they were on my Chicago Chill team. They would always, we'd always have a will to win and we kind of just fed off each other and never quit, and I think that was my first real role as a leader, was setting an example on the ice. I continue to do that today, but I have to do a little more off the ice now as well.

McKeen's: Having to develop, a little more, the hoo-rah?

Maday: Yeah. Whatever it takes. I'm not the outspoken guy in the locker room yelling or getting the best out of everyone, that's kind of Brett Olson's job, but if something needs to be said, I'm not afraid to say it.

McKeen's: Lastly, who were, or are, some of your favorite players growing up and why?

Maday: Well, I have to say Peter Forsberg. He was my hero growing up. I just loved his game, because he could do it all. He was a physical player, he's a great playmaker, he can finish, he did everything, and he won Stanley Cups. So, he was my number one player growing up, and I always try to follow my game after him. Steve Yzerman, I thought he was just an unbelievable playoff hockey player, and he always found a way to be successful on the ice. Those are probably my two favorites back in the day, and now there's a new wave of NHL players and young talent. Pavel Datsyuk is really fun to watch, so I'd have to say him.