Five Questions With Darien Ekblad

Darien Ekblad is a 19-year-old Belle River, Ontario native, who is the starting goaltender for the Chatham Maroons Junior B hockey team. Ekblad is entering his second season with the Chatham Maroons, and third in the GOJHL.

Last season, Ekblad played his first career OHL game with the Saginaw Spirit, after backstopping the Maroons to a first place finish in the regular season. He was also the November goaltender of the month for the GOJHL’s Western Conference ,and represented his conference in the Top Prospects Game, and league All-Star game.

Ekblad has started the first two games of the season for the Chatham Maroons, winning both.

Here are Darien Ekblad’s answers to CKSN’s Five Questions:

1. What is your career sports highlight/top memory?

Over the years, I’ve had a chance to make a lot of memories with hundreds of different people in hockey. When it comes down to it, being able to get my first OHL win in my first and last OHL game with the Saginaw Spirit will always be something I’ll never forget. To get the second star of the game too was pretty special. I waited 3 years after my draft year to finally get that chance to play, and to make the most of it like I did is something I’ll always be proud of.

2. Who is your favourite professional sports team and athlete?

Growing up, my favourite team was always the Detroit Red Wings. I’ve had an emotional connection to the Wings for as long as I can remember. However, my favourite athlete has to be my fellow Swede: Henrik Lundqvist, goaltender of the New York Rangers. (My family has a Swedish background)

3. If you could achieve one goal in sports, what would it be?

At this point in my hockey career, I’ve achieved everything I want to achieve except for one thing. I want to help bring the Sutherland Cup to Chatham. That is my goal this year and my teammates all have the same goal in mind.

4. Who has been your biggest sports influence and why?

My biggest influence in sports has to be my brother Aaron Ekblad. He plays in the OHL for the Barrie Colts and will be drafted to the NHL in the first round this year. He’s always been a hard worker, and has taught me that anything is possible in the game of hockey.

5. What do you love most about playing sports?

Playing hockey is more than just a game to me. In my mind, it’s a competition. You vs. your opponent. And that’s what I love about it. The competition of the game, and the feeling of beating somebody else or being better than somebody else. (Sounds cruel I know). I hate to lose, but I love to win more than anything in the world. That’s what I love about hockey

Five Questions is a new weekly feature on the Chatham-Kent Sports Network. We’ll ask athletes from across Chatham-Kent Five Questions, and post their answers every week. If you know an athlete or coach we should question, or you’re an athlete or coach who would like to participate in “Five Questions,” please email us at ian@cksn.ca.