RAHN’S INTERVIEW WITH GRAHAM MINK

June 16, 2009

Chris Rahn, BEARS Staff Writer Graham Mink returned to HERSHEY after spending two seasons as a member of the Worcester Sharks. He enjoyed one of his best offensive seasons, while playing with Alexandre Giroux and Keith Aucoin for most of the season. He is one of only four players remaining from HERSHEY’s 2006 Calder Cup team. Mink returned to the NHL this past season for the first time since the 2005-06 season. He appeared in two games with the Capitals, recording no points. In 68 games with the BEARS during the regular season, Mink tallied 32 goals and 27 assists for 59 points and 101 penalty minutes. Chris Rahn: You returned to HERSHEY after two seasons in Worcester. What factors played into your decision to return to HERSHEY? Graham Mink: I wanted to be on a team that wanted to win a championship, and I loved being in HERSHEY when I was here three years ago. Obviously we had a lot of success, so I was hoping to come back and do it again. Chris Rahn: You played on a line all season with Alexandre Giroux and Keith Aucoin. What’s it been like playing on the best line in the AHL? Graham Mink: It’s been a great year playing with these guys â€" both unbelievable players. Alex Giroux is just a natural goal scorer, and for him to break those records and to be able to sit next to him in the locker room is a privilege. Coiner’s (Keith Aucoin) a great passer, so there’s been a lot of good chemistry. It’s been a good year to play with those two. Chris Rahn: You were a member of HERSHEY’S 2006 championship team. How does this year’s team compare to that team and how are they different? Graham Mink: The attitude is very similar there with the kind of one day at a time approach. There are a lot of character guys on both teams, and when you’re going down the stretch you need character guys. There’s going to be adversity, there’s going to be challenges. We’re going to be down at some points, and that’s when characters going to carry you through. So hopefully we have enough to get through the hard times and we can make it work. Chris Rahn: You played for several different AHL teams. Where does HERSHEY rank among your favorites? Graham Mink: I think HERSHEY’S the best place to play if you’re not in the NHL. There’s no place I’d rather play. It’s a first class organization and I love the area and the town. People care about their hockey here and I like that. If you can’t be in the NHL, there’s no better play to play. Chris Rahn: Would you consider yourself a motivator in the locker room? Graham Mink: I don’t know. I’m certainly vocal. I’ll say stuff and hope I don’t say too much. Sometimes I like to get going and keep saying the things that need to be said. Chris Rahn: What was it like returning to the NHL this past season? Graham Mink: It was great to get a couple of games up with Washington. Having Bruce Boudreau there helped a lot, and there are a lot of guys on our team here that got an opportunity. So it was a good year in that regard. Chris Rahn: A lot of people might not know, but you have your real estate license in Vermont. Are you active in real estate like John Walton is? Graham Mink: No, but I did get my license actually three years ago when I was in Hershey when I was out with my injury. I needed something to do, so I studied and got my license. I dabble in real estate, but it’s mostly something for when I’m done playing. I love houses and looking at stuff like that, so it’s more for personal stuff. Chris Rahn: Your wife is very popular in the jewelry business. How involved are you in that? Graham Mink: I help a little bit with the website, but that’s pretty much her baby. She does everything with it. She updates everything. I’ll certainly help her wherever she wants me to, if there’s computer things that need help with. Mostly it’s her. Chris Rahn: A website everyone can visit to purchase some jewelry? Graham Mink: www.bellamink.com Chris Rahn: How do you normally spend the offseason? Graham Mink: Back in Vermont, living in Stowe where I grew up. Just training there and hanging out with friends, and getting ready for the next season.