It’s Toe-to-Toe Time!!
It’s been a long time coming, but OHL Tough Guys is dropping the gloves.
Sarnia Sting tough guy Devin Didiomete has seen a lot during his time in the O. The Calgary Flames prospect has done everything from scoring big goals to dropping ‘em with the biggest names and bodies the league could throw at him.
This week, Devin and I dropped the gloves and buckets and went toe-to-toe at center, talking about life in the O, what the future holds, and, of course, the odd fight.
Enjoy -
OHLTG: Just a couple of weeks ago, the Sting and Generals had a pretty good line brawl. You didn’t get penalized for anything during it, but I’m sure you had a nice view. What went through your mind during it?
DD: I’ve been waiting 4 years for something like this to happen. Why do I have to be on the bench?
OHLTG: Did the opportunity to fight in that brawl come up and, if so, who was it against and why did nothing come of it?
DD: As soon as I saw (Steve) Stamkos chirping at (James) Delory I knew it was going to get ugly so I tried to go after Delory. Unfortunately, the linesman got me first and took me to my bench. He told me not to come back on the ice or I would be suspended. It was tough to sit there but at least it was fun to watch!
OHLTG: Having been on Sarnia for almost a full-season now, do you find yourself having more responsibilities or fewer in the fighting department? Why?
DD: I think I have more responsibilities on the ice now and less in the fighting department. Fighting is still apart of my game but I am now much smarter in when I fight and in which guys I am taking off the ice.
OHLTG: Being one of the more respected veteran fighters in the league, what kinds of things do you teach the young up-and-coming tough kids about that aspect of the game?
DD: I try and teach the young guys what my older teammates taught me when I was younger and that is to respect who ever you are fighting. It’s a tough job and you have to respect the guys that are doing it on a regular basis no matter who they are.
OHLTG: If you could have the chance to go back this season and do one thing differently, what would it be and why?
DD: It would be a game in Guelph when I fought (Pat) Moran. I was trying to fight (Nathan) Martine and Moran came out of know where to fight me. I wasn’t expecting him to be a lefty so luckily he didn’t hit me while we were standing. While I was on the ice he popped me twice in the mouth. If I could have done anything different I would have squared off with him right out of the box. Unfortunately, I got kicked out and now I have to wait for the next time we play. You don’t hit guys while they’re on the ice and now he has to answer the bell.
OHLTG: It wasn’t much of a secret over the summer that you were being dealt to Sarnia. When did you first find out? What was your reaction?
DD: I had heard rumors over the course of the season so I kind of figured something was up. About two or three weeks after Sudbury was put out of playoffs Sarnia’s GM called me to tell me I had been traded to Sarnia as a part of the Dahm deal. I had left Sudbury on a good note so it made it a lot easier to leave. I also knew that I had a great opportunity to win in Sarnia, so that also made it easier to leave.
OHLTG: What have you found to be the biggest difference(s) between Sarnia and Sudbury?
DD: The weather! Plus, the road trips are a lot shorter in Sarnia.
OHLTG: In your rookie season with the Wolves, you had guys like Zach Stortini, Alexander Eaton, and Kyle Musselman on your team. Did they help you with the fighting game and, if so, how?
DD: Those guys helped me out a ton and I can’t thank them enough. After practice was done I would play fight with one of them and they would teach me some tricks and teach me different techniques. It also helped a lot watching them fight game in and game out. I learned a lot from just being around those guys.
OHLTG: I’m going to list a handful of players. Tell me what first comes to mind when you read them:
DD: Matt Beleskey – The toe-to-toe fights. We need one this year!
Cory McGillis - Brutal nose *laughs*
James DeLory – He’s a giant. We also have little rivalry, too.
Brett Oliphant – He’s crazy.
Ryan Wilson – He’s undercover tough!
OHLTG: Going back on your entire career, is there anything you’d do differently?
DD: I don’t think so. I did what I had to do when I was young and it has given me a chance to play while I am older.
OHLTG: Is there anything you’d do over and over again, regardless of the reward or consequence?
DD: I’d probably go back to the league finals last year. Even though we didn’t win it was an unbelievable experience and the atmosphere in Sudbury arena was wild! It was the loudest building I’ve ever been in my life.
OHLTG: Do you know where you’re looking to play next season? Has Calgary said anything about the AHL or returning for an over-age season with Sarnia?
DD: I talk to Calgary on a regular basis and they haven’t said anything about where I will be playing next year. If it were up to me, I would love to further my career and try and start the season in the AHL.
OHLTG: Should you be done in the O after this season, how do you want people to remember you?
DD: I’d like to been known as a player who worked his hardest every night and did whatever it took to help his team win. I’d also like to be known not only as a fighter but as someone who could also play the game.
OHLTG: What is one thing that happens in the O that people always seem to get the wrong impression about (about you or otherwise)?
DD: I think a lot of people have a negative look on fighters or chippy players. Some people don’t understand that were not out there to hurt people on purpose. Hitting and fighting is a part of the game and people have to realize that certain players have certain jobs; singers sing and dancers dance.
OHLTG: We’ve asked this question to just about everyone who has done one of these – if you could get your hands on any player, past or present, who would it be and why?
DD: Theo Peckham! He always got under my skin when we played. We only fought twice and we each won one so we need a rubber match.
— OHLTG wants to thank Devin for this interview. All the best to him over the rest of this season!
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