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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin men's hockey coach Tony Granato thinks very highly of senior winger Ryan Wagner. Heading into a non-conference series with fourth-ranked North Dakota, Granato referred to Wagner as a "competitor that fears nothing" who "wears his heart on his sleeve" and who's a "coach's dream as far as he does everything the way he's supposed to." Wagner leads the seventh-rated Badgers in shots with 30 and is tied for the team lead in goals with five after nine games. He took time after practice this week to talk about the rivalry with North Dakota, his go-to teammate for advice and the last time he was scared.
What defines a rivalry like the one with North Dakota?
"In my mind, my first home game was against North Dakota and it was just crazy. We had 13,000-plus in the building. Going to Grand Forks (as a sophomore), they had students lined up before we even got on the bus. You can tell the fans are into it and they're going to love it."
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You wear No. 13. Are you superstitious?
"No. I just tape my stick the same way before every game. That's about it."
What's the hardest lesson you've learned as a student-athlete at Wisconsin?
"Probably to have confidence in myself. My freshman year and sophomore years didn't go as I had planned. I struggled a little bit. Then Tony came in and turned things around for not only the program, but for myself. Now I take each and every day the same. I want to do well in class. I want to do well on the ice. I think it shows."
Have you had a "Welcome to college hockey moment?"
"Nothing really in games. It's just awesome being around the locker room with all the guys and stuff like that and you see how close you can get. I've been teammates with all the (seniors) for four years now. It's been great. So I didn't really have a 'Welcome to college hockey" moment. It's just the family that I've made."
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What's something you care about now that you didn't when you first got to UW?
"I'd say the way you have to approach every game and how much time before each game you need to start preparing. … One thing I'm learning is treating my body the right way. When I was younger I could eat whatever I wanted and you learn that you can't do that now. You've got to stay away from the sweets and stuff."
You have the first pick of the draft of all the players you've faced since coming to Wisconsin. Who do you take?
"I'd say Jack Eichel (formerly of Boston University, now in the NHL with Buffalo). When we played against him he was just dominant."
Who's your funniest UW teammate?
"I'd say Peter Tischke."
Who's your go-to teammate for everyday advice?
"Seamus (Malone). We have a history (playing AAA midget for Chicago Mission). I know I can trust him. We live together and I know he's always looking out for the best interests of myself and hockey."
When's the last time you were afraid?
"Probably when I was 8 and my dad had a heart attack."
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Is there a UW teammate whose skill set you would trade for?
"I'd want Trent Frederic's shot."
Is there a UW student-athlete you'd want to trade places with?
"Tom Barlow on the soccer team. Growing up I always played soccer and I had to decide between hockey and soccer. Obviously I chose hockey, but soccer's always been a big part of my life growing up. If I could play another sport and trade places with someone, it'd be Tom."
