Regan vs. Rockets: Damon Severson

In a new series, Regan vs. Rockets, RocketFAN.ca’s Regan Bartel has some casual chats with past and current players of the Kelowna Rockets.

This week, he spoke with former Rocket defenseman and now, Columbus Blue Jackets blue liner, Damon Severson.

Check out the video and for more on Severson take a look at Regan's article on RocketFAN.ca

Regan: The reason why we're here today playing catch is I understand that you warm up before a game, playing catch. How did that start?

Damon: I met the equipment manager, one of the managers in New Jersey a few years back. We got to talking about baseball and just so happened we both like it, grew up in our past with it, and we just enjoy throwing it around before the game. We tried it one time, seeing if it worked. We had a good game, I played well and it just kind of stuck.

R: So you're a big baseball fan, grew up in Saskatchewan. So what was it, baseball in the summer? Hockey in the winter?

D: Yeah, exactly that. I played as much sports as I could, but it was baseball in the summer, hockey in the winter. And then just repeat that every year as a kid.

R: Growing up in Saskatchewan in sort of no man's land, because who do you cheer for, right? I mean, were you a Blue Jays fan?

D: Yeah, Blue Jays is the team, still is. Obviously being on Sportsnet pretty regularly in the summer when you know you're out by the pool and hanging out. We got the TV out there so we'll just float with the Blue Jays game on and then just watch them a little bit.

R: When you were playing baseball competitively, what position did you play? Were you very versatile?

D: I pitched a little bit and then mostly shortstop. I really enjoyed it playing that position.

R: So you're going to Columbus. So who do you cheer for there? I mean, I guess who's your team going to be?

D: I don't know. I got pretty tight with our one owner with the Devils. David Blitzer is his name and he's now a part owner of the Cleveland team and they’re also in Ohio. So, I'm sure he'll reach out and say, if I want to make it out to a few games, I'll be able to get a chance to do that.

R: You signed a big contract over the summer. First of all, you spent so much time in New Jersey because you were drafted by them, but you knew what the writing was on the wall, that you'd probably be moving elsewhere.

D: They have some young guys who are high draft picks, a little bit less expensive with the salary cap, obviously. But yeah, it was time to move on. So, I'm looking forward to that. Columbus.

R: Was it exciting the fact that you were rated as the top free agent? You know, among those that are available, everybody was kind of looking at you?

D: It was cool. It was a good feeling. You want to be wanted. And I guess [with] free agency, you never know what's going to happen. So we got a little bit ahead of the game, and Columbus was very aggressive in trying to acquire me and we were able to get a deal done. So we're pumped about that.

R: And Columbus is a good team, right? I mean, Johnny Gaudreau, go down the list, [Patrik] Laine’s there.

D: Yeah. Lots of guys from Canadian teams and now playing in Columbus. So, a lot of people have seen them play on a regular basis, certain players in different markets. But now we’ll try to join forces in Columbus.

R: So what's the process from here on in; you looking for a house? You're going down to Columbus to check it out?

D: We’ll go down in July, take a couple of days, try to find some place to live. And ideally, we're there for a while so ideally we'll find a place longer term and then go from there.