STARR�S Q AND A WITH KEITH AUCOIN

April 15, 2009

As seen in the game program Jim Starr, BEARS Staff Writer Keith Aucoin is another free agent the BEARS moved quickly to sign. Keith has had four seasons in the past where he scored 20 or more goals. Those aren�t Ovechkin numbers, but in pro hockey that is definitely called earning your paycheck. Keith is 5� 9, - 187 pounds from Waltham, Mass., just outside of Boston. Here�s more �Inside Stuff� about Keith Aucoin � Jim Starr: Do you have any pre-game superstitions? Keith Aucoin: I�m not a big ritual kind of guy. I just eat some Chicken Parm, take a pre-game nap and then off to the game. I don�t have anything in particular that I do before a game. Jim: Really! How about post game, you�re eating an orange here after practice during our interview. (He never even offered me one slice) lol Keith: No nothing. I�m not really a superstitious guy, never have been. Pre-game naps help me out so I stick with those. Jim: What do you think of GIANT Center so far? Keith: It�s been great! I played here in the past and I know what it�s like to be on the opposing team. GIANT Center is a real tough place to play. The fans get on you, and it�s always really loud. My first game with Hershey was pre-season and the BEARS fans make GIANT Center an action packed arena. Jim: So what are you wearing on your feet there Keith? Keith: (laugh) Crocs. They�re comfortable. Jim: I see the Capitals Logo on them, Is this a fan product you can buy in souvenir hockey stores? Keith: I got these at training camp, they were team issued. I�m not sure if these are available for sale to fans or not. I have seen Redskins Crocs in stores so maybe you can buy the Capital�s Crocs too. Jim: What do you do after a home game? Keith: I always go out to eat after a home game and get some food in me. Jim: What do you think about before you go out on each shift? Keith: I always try to visualize making a play or thinking ahead about what I�m going to do if I get the puck at a certain area of the ice. I just work hard and keep it simple and visualize making a good play so when I do get an opportunity I can make the play. Jim: So you�re a believer in seeing it happen in your mind first, and then going out and doing it? Keith: Yes, I think you have to in a league like this. It�s better to know what you�re going to do with the puck before you have the puck. Being a smaller guy, I have to visualize me skating around defensemen too. (laugh) Jim: What have been your greatest achievements so far in hockey? Keith: I think the top one is making it to the NHL. After being drafted, it took me five years to be called up so I was really happy when my hard work in the minors paid off. When I did get to the NHL my first goal was against Marty Brodeur, so that made my first goal all that much better, I was playing with the Carolina Hurricanes. Jim: Were you there when they won the cup? Keith: Yes, but I didn�t play in any playoff games so I didn�t get my name on the Cup. It was great just to be there and be a part of that, I celebrated in the locker room. It was pretty cool. Jim: Do you mean if a player plays all season long, gets injured in the last game of the season and can�t play during the playoffs, he doesn�t get his name on the Cup? Keith: I�m not sure how it works, but I was a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs. Jim: Do you play other sports? Keith: I play a little basketball with my brother. It�s one of those sports that you can turn an ankle real easy, so I don�t play a lot. I�m a big Celtics fan though Jim: What�s your favorite junk food? Keith: Is Pizza a junk food? Jim: For the moment � let�s say yes. Keith: OK, I like Pizza, Twizzlers, Reese�s Pieces, and other Hershey Chocolates. Jim: What other sports and hobbies do you enjoy? Keith: I like to golf in the summer time, I�m a big Red Sox fan, I like to play poker and cards and that�s about it. Jim: How do Hershey fans compare to other fans? Keith: I think they�re the best fans in the league. Just from playing here on other teams, and this year with the BEARS during the pre-season, I can tell that the fans are really committed to this team. �WOMEN WANT TO KNOW� Jim: Are you married, engaged, serious or single? Keith: I�m single. Jim: The single lady fans will be happy to hear that. (laugh) Did you ever change a baby�s diaper? Keith: No I have not. (smile) Jim: Can you cook? Keith: Yes, I cook a lot. Jim: What do you cook? Keith: Chicken, Pork Chops, Steak, mostly meat on the grill. Jim: Do you grill outdoors in the winter like a lot of the Bears do, including Bryan Helmer? Keith: Heck No, it�s cold out there. (laugh) Jim: Do you vacuum, do the dishes, laundry? Keith: I�m a clean guy. I don�t vacuum too much since I sweep and stuff, I let the dishwasher do my dishes, and I do whatever laundry I have to.