Preflight Briefings: B.J. Kuper

Anyone who has ever shared the ice with Aces center B.J. Kuper knows that he anchors the team’s energy line for a reason. Energetic, passionate and relentless, not to mention an annoying pest, Kuper knows his job and does it well. However, with 10 goals and 25 points in 22 games this season, Kuper has transformed himself into something much more than a role player and currently ranks among the top two-way players in the league.

Because of his hard-work and multi-faceted play this season, he’s also earned the nickname “Super.” Make no mistake about it, Kuper is the league’s resident super hero.

He can do it all.

Chatting with Aces Over Brooklyn during the team’s last homestand, Kuper talks about the transformation of his game and some of the players he’s played with this season.

Aces Over Brooklyn: How does it feel to be averaging a point a game so far this season?

B.J. Kuper: I told you after the first time we talked that it was a matter of me getting back into a rhythm. I was a little slow and I had to get my legs back. Physically, I feel great now and even though I know there is still room for improvement, I’m happy with the way things are going right now.

AOB: What do you think is the biggest difference in your game compared to the beginning of the season?

Kuper: I think things are starting to slow down a lot more me. I’m carrying the puck a bit more the past few games and I’m trying to make things happen. Like I just said, I feel great.

AOB: You’ve a lot of success playing with Jesse Felten and Eric Frank this season. What is it like playing with them?

Kuper: It’s been a lot of fun. I think our coach [Chris Firriolo] saw this happening before we did. He put the line together before the first game Frank played here. Jesse is a great player that just needed to get going and Eric is a really hard worker than can find the puck and dish it. We work well together.

AOB: Can you describe what the chemistry is like on this team right now?

Kuper: We just feed off of each other. I think it all starts with our goaltenders. They’ve gotten out of situations this season that could have crushed us and because of that, we always something to build off of.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.