Q & A with Matt Register

2015-16 Sher-wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week Q&AMatt Register – December 28-January 3

ECHL: You were named to the All-ECHL First Team in 2014 and 2015 and were awarded the ECHL Defenseman of the Year honors in 2014. This season you’ve now added ECHL Player of the Week to your career accomplishments. To what do you credit your consistently high level of play?Matt Register: I credit my consistently high level of play to a combination of factors. Most importantly I credit the organizations I’ve had the opportunity to play for-without the teammates I’ve played with and the coaching staffs I’ve played for over the years, I don’t think I would have been able to achieve the individual success I’ve experienced. Every day I do whatever I can to contribute to helping the team succeed-whether that’s giving it my all during practice, being a leader for younger guys on the team, or making sure I’m working out and eating healthy away from the rink. While it is nice to receive the individual recognition and awards, the most rewarding feeling is when I know I’m contributing to the success of our team as a whole. ECHL: Having had a couple of years experience already in the ECHL, what advice would you give to rookies entering the League, unsure of what to expect? MR: I know that coming into the league as a young guy can be a little nerve wracking, but the important thing to do is to be coachable, to make the most of the every opportunity you have and to work hard every day to develop and improve your game. ECHL: Professionally, you’ve played in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, California and now Atlanta, among other places. What do you like best about the Atlanta market? MR: I think this team is run very professionally- we have a great coaching staff and front office staff- which allows this team to have success on the ice. Also, the fans here are behind the team 100% and that makes the Infinite Energy Arena a hard place for opposing teams to come in and take two points from us. ECHL: The Gladiators currently sit sixth in the ECHL Eastern Conference. Having been a part of the Ontario Reign team that saw a lengthy postseason last year – what do you think is most important for your team this season to ensure that you have a long run in the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs? MR: I think it’s important that we come to the rink every day with a winning mentality, and have the attitude that nobody is going to beat us or out battle us, this organization will have a long playoff run this year. ECHL: Looking back on your career to this point, what has been your proudest ‘hockey moment’ so far? MR: My proudest hockey moment would be when I was able to win defensemen of the year in 2014. After a hard first couple years of pro, and bouncing around teams, Ontario brought me in and believed in me. I was able to settle in, play my game, and have three successful years there.