In just 33 games with the Colorado Avalanche, T.J. Hensick contributed consistently with six goals and six assists.  He even scored in only his second career NHL game and led the team in the month of February by lighting the lamp five times.

Depth at center kept Hensick with the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) for part of the regular season last year, but the coaching staff continually looked to the former Michigan center for a spark during the injury-plagued season.

Here is just a glimpse of the stand-out college player who very well could play a large part in the future of the Colorado Avalanche.

What’s your best advice for young players?
Have fun with the game. I think now-a-days a lot of people get caught up in the competitiveness, trying to get their kid to the NHL. If it’s meant to be, it will happen but make sure they’re having fun with the game because that’s the biggest part of playing hockey.

What one player on the team have you learned the most from?
That’s a tough one but probably Laperriere. Just the way he handles himself on and off the ice and the way he has treated me. I’ve learned a lot from him each day. It’s just good to have him around.

What is your all time favorite hockey memory?
Probably playing for the U.S. U-18 team in the World Championships over in Russia, north of Moscow. We lost in the bronze medal game, but just playing an international competition against players like Malkin, who was on the Russian team. Ovechkin was there too. Just being around guys like that when we were all younger was pretty exciting.

Do you have a nickname on the team?
I still think they are trying to figure one out for me, but I get “Henner” a lot which kind of gets confusing because a lot of guys say “Hanner” to Scott Hannan. That’s why they are trying to figure out a new one for me.

 Do you have any superstitions?
Not really. I just usually put my right skate on before my left, but I’m not sure if that’s a superstition. That’s just how it goes.

 Do you have any other rituals on game days?
We listen to the same music and we always play soccer before the games. I usually have a Red Bull or an energy drink before the game starts but that’s about it.

 What’s your favorite American TV Show?
Probably “Home Improvement”.  I’m a big Tim Allen guy so growing up I liked to watch him. I still see the re-runs now and again so that would probably be my No. 1.

 What was one of your most memorable jobs?
I did plumbing every summer at Michigan.  I would work with my roommate just to make a couple bucks on the side because it was kind of hard going through school with no money.  It was pretty challenging - getting up at seven and working until three or four in the afternoon makes you real grateful that you’re playing hockey instead of doing a real job.

  Do you have any hobbies?
I like water sports and golf. You know – just relaxing. I think most of the guys on the team like to get away from the game when they can. Just kind of getting away and hanging out with friends and family when I can too.

 Who is your hero?
Hockey hero or just any hero? For me hockey would be either Yzerman or Sakic. You know I grew up watching those two guys. Being a Detroit kid, I really enjoyed the rivalry. Then my parents would be my other heroes outside of hockey. So those four people particularly - I’ve watched them as I’ve grown up.

 What is the craziest thing you’ve done lately?
Well, I guess not crazy, but a little nerve-racking was playing on a line with Smyth and Hejduk. That’s always pretty exciting. I wouldn’t say crazy, but the thrill of a lifetime to play with two caliber guys like that.

 How do you get along with all of the coaches?
It’s a lot different being a pro than playing in college. Your relationships are different; you interact more with the assistant coaches than the head coach, but it’s a good relationship as long as you’re working hard.

 How do you stay in shape during the off-season?
We’ve got a good strength coordinator here with Paul Goldberg. I’ve been to Vancouver in the summers to train, through my agent. A lot of cardio stuff, a lot of Olympic lifts.  As the summer progresses, the lifts get a little lighter as you work your way up to camp. We take a couple weeks off after the season to regroup, but then it’s a pretty rigorous schedule - five to six days a week you’re at the gym.

 Do you ever listen to fans when you’re on the bench or the ice?
Of course. I mean it’s easier to hear them when you’re on the bench than when you’re actually on the ice playing, but we always hear them. We know they are there and a big support of this team. They can always make a big difference if we’re tied or in a close game.

 Have you ever had any funny interactions with the fans?
Not so much in my pro career yet, but in Michigan we had a lot of crazy alumni who liked to dress up in various costumes and come to the games.  It’s exciting to have people like that. I’ve seen a lot of signs here and a lot of people who come to cheer for the team. It’s pretty exciting to have that feeling behind you, knowing that you always have them to support you.
 
 Are their any rules in the NHL that should be changed and why?
Some guys may disagree, but I’d like to see them make the game a little more open.  I know they’ve been talking about making the rink a little bigger.  The Olympic sized sheet might make the game more exciting with more offense, but then you get the goalies who might not like that. 

So it varies on who you talk to but I think they should keep trying to make the game more open. They’ve definitely cracked down on the obstruction, hooking, and holding penalties, so I thinking we’re getting there with those penalties. They could also make shootouts longer - changing it from three guys to five would make it a little more interesting for the fans. That’s really what we have to do is please the fans, when it comes down to it.