Getting to Know: Cam Talbot

New York Rangers goaltender Cam Talbot sits down with Mark Malinowski in THN's latest Getting to Know.

Status: New York Rangers goaltender.

HT: 6-3 WT: 205

DOB: July 5, 1987 IN: Caledonia, Ontario

First Hockey Memory: "First memory of hockey. I've never been asked that one before. I couldn't even tell you. I guess a very early memory would be getting to play my first game. I think I was about seven years old and I had never actually been on the ice before. My first tryout was like an exhibition game. So I think that was a pretty tough thing back then - with never even skating and just being thrown out into a game. So that was pretty fun. Learn as you go, I guess."

Hockey Inspirations: "As like, moments? Well, inspirations. I always liked Patrick Roy growing up, that's why I wear #33. I liked how he was a big game goalie. Whenever the game was on the line he always seemed to rise to the occasion. That was how I tried to model my game and step up whenever the game was on the line."

Last Book Read: "Brad Thor, a book called Full Black, which is an anti-terrorism fiction book."

Current Car: "Toyota 4-Runner."

First Famous Hockey Player You Met Or Encountered: "Would have been I think Darryl Sittler when I was younger."

Greatest Sports Moment: "Probably my first NHL game or my first NHL win, one of those two."

Most Painful Moment : "Probably losing in the NCAA tournament I guess. To who? Miami of Ohio."

Most Memorable Save: "Not one that really sticks out. There's one in the CHA tournament in college - Hockey America Conference tournament - with about a minute and a half left. We were up 1-0. I made a glove save from right in the slot to kind of preserve the win. Then we made it to the championship and won that one. So I'd have to say that was one of the biggest saves of my career, with a game on the line."

Funniest Player(s) Encountered: "I'd have to say Zuc's one of them. You could follow that guy around with a video camera all day and never be bored."

Closest Hockey Friends: "A lot of guys that I played juniors with. Guys that I played with in college, you probably wouldn't know of them. I don't know if any of them have played pro at this point."

Fiercest Players Encountered: "Played against or with? Both. Nothing really jumps out at me. Obviously, guys like Ovechkin and Crosby, those guys you can always see that they're competitive out there. Guys like (Ryan) McDonagh who go out there and work their butt off every day and get pretty fired up and they're pretty passionate about the game too."

Embarrassing Hockey Memory: "Probably when I was younger, I think maybe twelve or thirteen, and I went out to stop the puck and it kind of bounced over my stick and I thought it went in. So the puck kind of came right back out. And I was pissed off at myself, so I went and fired it back into the net. Turns out it hit the post. So I was the one that put it in."

Favorite Uniforms: "Our's." Number two? "I don't even know. I've never been asked any of these questions before. Nothing really comes to mind. I guess I was always a Montreal fan growing up."

Why Do You Love Playing Hockey: "Just love the team aspect. Always like being around the guys and the camaraderie in the dressing room and being out on the ice and going to battle with those guys every night, is a lot more fulfilling playing for your team."

Strangest Game: "In, I believe, my first or second game, there was about four or five posts and somehow the puck always ended up right underneath me or going into the corner or over the glass or something. So I guess that was kind of rookie luck or whatever you want to call it, beginner's luck. I think it was either Philly or Detroit. So I kind of got lucky my first couple of games."

Favorite Sport Outside Hockey: "Probably tennis, I play a lot of tennis in the summer time. And golf I'd have to say."

Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: "I always liked Roger Federer. Past or present? "Anyone. Obviously, Patrick Roy when he was still in the league. And I always liked to follow Henk before I got called up here. I always liked his style. And, obviously for the team I was trying to make, I looked to emulate him a little bit."

People/Personality Qualities Most Admired: "I'd like to say honest and genuine. And I guess just fun to be around, good sense of humor. I like to see those qualities in people. They're a lot more fun to be around. I feel like I can get along with people that have a good sense of humor because I kind of have a funny one myself."