It helped out a lot that I was in Providence. I got to know some guys, the coaches, and the style of play. That makes it a lot easier than it is for some of the younger guys coming out of college or junior.

I've felt better with the way I was just getting the puck up ice, playing smart defensively and playing well on the PK (penalty kill). I'm just trying to carry that into these last games of the season here.

It's different in college. You're playing smaller guys who are a little bit harder to hit, but out here [in the NHL] it seems like some guys don't expect it sometimes, so I get those shots in when I can. It differs from team to team.

That's the way I play. I played that way in college.

They gave me an opportunity to play. It helped me grow as a player, every year I played there.

It was definitely a goal of mine. It was a long training camp and it was a long rookie camp to go through as well. It's been a long time coming but I'm glad I have the opportunity to maybe play.