opherSports: John, you won a high school state title, an NCAA Championship and played in the NHL. Were you most nervous for the high school state final, NCAA final, or your NHL debut?
John Pohl: I was probably the most nervous for my first NHL game. It didn't mean as much to me as the state championship or NCAA title, but it was what I was most nervous for. The state championship and NCAA final were one game, win or lose, and it was over. If an NHL debut goes well you can stay for 10 years. If it goes poorly you may never get that shot again.
GS: In 2009, Ben Hanowski broke your high school state record for points in a career. You had 378 points in high school and Hanowski finished with 405. Are you able to talk about this yet?
JP: No. It hurts me most that my daughter has never looked at me the same since.
GS: You scored your first NHL goal on Dec. 31, 2005 against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils. Take us through the goal and tell us where you keep the puck.
JP: The goal was a 5-on-3 about halfway through the third period, and I was in front of the net. Darcy Tucker took a one-timer and Brodeur made a kick save. The puck went into the air, and I waited for it to come down a little and batted it in. The puck is in a frame with a picture of the goal at my dad's house. The cool thing about the picture is it's me, Brodeur and Paul Martin in the frame. I think Paul let me score.
GS: We all know how accomplished your wife Krissy’s resume is. Who is the best hockey player in your family?
JP: Krissy is the best, by far.
GS: How did it feel to have your wedding featured in People?
JP: Weird, but that's what happens when you marry someone who is famous!
GS: What is the best hockey town in the U.S. that most people do not know about?
JP: Red Wing, Minnesota.
GS: You played in Switzerland and Sweden recently. What was the most difficult thing to get acclimated to off the ice?
JP: The worst part was being seven hours ahead of family in Minnesota. We had Skype, but it's not the same. I missed being able to call them on the way to the rink or text them on the bus, little things like that.
GS: In the 2001-02 Minnesota media guide, you said your secret ambition was to become a country music entertainer. What is your go-to karaoke song?
JP: My go-to song would probably be “Ice Ice Baby,” which totally contradicts a career as a country singer.
GS: Best place to eat on campus at Minnesota?
JP: Big Ten or Campus Pizza.
GS: What is your favorite Mariucci moment? When you think of the building and your career, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
JP: Probably the last game I ever played there. We beat North Dakota in overtime when Keith Ballard scored after one of the Sioux players jersey fell over his head. It was a great way to end a great season at Mariucci. I have always felt very lucky that I was able to be a part of such a great team in my senior year and to have my last game at Mariucci play out like that. It was perfect.
GS: You wore two of the most prestigious jerseys in hockey. Was there more pressure wearing the 'M' or putting on the Maple Leafs jersey?
JP: More pressure, Leafs. More meaning to me, Gophers.
GS: You had 53 points in 66 games last year with the Wolves, but decided to retire from professional hockey. Can you tell us about your new role at Cretin-Derham Hall?
JP: I will be teaching in the business department at Cretin-Derham Hall and helping coach the ninth grade football team and the hockey team. Quitting pro hockey was a very, very easy decision. Teaching and coaching has been something I knew I would do at some point and to have a chance to work at such a great school like CDH made the decision very easy. We have two daughters now and I don't want to move them all over the world anymore. We are looking forward to living a normal life in Minnesota.
