Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1414676
I played until I got to the I played until I got to the NHL. Now I've been more NHL. Now I've been more defensive minded thus defensive minded thus far but there's always far but there's always times when having that times when having that for ward ability comes for ward ability comes in handy. in handy. "Just hav ing those "Just hav ing those for ward skills and hav- for ward skills and hav- ing some better hands in ing some better hands in tight. I feel funny saying that tight. I feel funny saying that because I play with some guys because I play with some guys in the league that are playing in the league that are playing with more skill than I have—I with more skill than I have—I could never be a forward in this could never be a forward in this league—but my skills for for- league—but my skills for for- ward were good at the time." ward were good at the time." It's Holl's willingness to do It's Holl's willingness to do what's needed and play where what's needed and play where needed—positiona lly or in needed—positiona lly or in the ECHL or A HL where he the ECHL or A HL where he clinched the 2018 Calder Cup clinched the 2018 Calder Cup w ith the Toronto Marlies— w ith the Toronto Marlies— that 's become his biggest that 's become his biggest asset in establishing a role in asset in establishing a role in Toronto, a hockey-crazed city Toronto, a hockey-crazed city filled with some mighty talent- filled with some mighty talent- ed players. ed players. "Just the opportunity to play "Just the opportunity to play with some of the star players with some of the star players has helped tremendously," said has helped tremendously," said Holl, who has 35 assists and 41 Holl, who has 35 assists and 41 points in 136 NHL games. "I points in 136 NHL games. "I ended up on the ice with Auston ended up on the ice with Auston Mat thews, Mitch Ma rner, Mat thews, Mitch Ma rner, William Nylander and John William Nylander and John Tavares quite a bit, so then it's Tavares quite a bit, so then it's easier to play with good players easier to play with good players and make plays. They make it and make plays. They make it easier on me for sure." easier on me for sure." WORK HARD IN: BEING A ROLE MODEL WORK HARD IN: BEING A ROLE MODEL Holl never lost being that kid on the pond or that kid in a Minnetonka Holl never lost being that kid on the pond or that kid in a Minnetonka jersey, idolizing the high schoolers up to the NHLers. jersey, idolizing the high schoolers up to the NHLers. Now, he's on the other side, and he couldn't be more appreciative. Now, he's on the other side, and he couldn't be more appreciative. "When I was really young, my goal was to play on the high school "When I was really young, my goal was to play on the high school team," he said. "I thought those guys were the coolest guys of all team," he said. "I thought those guys were the coolest guys of all time. And then as you continue to grow and improve, your expec- time. And then as you continue to grow and improve, your expec- tations change a little bit, but I think just the whole Minnesota tations change a little bit, but I think just the whole Minnesota hockey system is geared in a way that you give the kids good role hockey system is geared in a way that you give the kids good role models all the way up. models all the way up. "It 's awesome. I saw some Minnetonka kids the other day at Da "It 's awesome. I saw some Minnetonka kids the other day at Da Beauty Leag ue, and I just think it 's really cool because that used Beauty Leag ue, and I just think it 's really cool because that used to be me. I was for sure one of those kids looking to see my favor- to be me. I was for sure one of those kids looking to see my favor- ite hockey player and get my stick signed or whatever. Circle of ite hockey player and get my stick signed or whatever. Circle of life, I g uess." life, I g uess." Are you superstitious? Justin Holl: To quote Michael Scott from The Office, "I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious." If I have a good game, I'll use the same stick maybe or I won't change my knob, or if I have a bad game I'll change a little something. I know it doesn't make any sense. The longest I've gone is five or six games with the same thing. At a certain point the performance starts to wear and you're like ok I gotta get serious about this now. If you could be on a reality TV show what would it be? Holl: You know what I've been watching quite a bit lately is Beat Bobby Flay. I'm not a cook at all, but maybe I could be. If I had a signature dish it'd probably be like burger with cheese or tacos or something like that but I'd love to compete against Bobby Flay, I love the show. Is a hot dog a sandwich? Holl: No, a hot dog is its own entity. It's a hot dog. I put nothing on a hot dog—that's going to be a hot take. Straight up. It's a serial killer move. Any hidden talents? Holl: I like to think I'm pretty musically inclined. I have a pretty good voice; I play the piano. My piano skills aren't as good as my vocal skills right now—I'm talking like my vocal skills are unreal, they're not, but karaoke I'm good. Go to song: "Liberty Valance" by Gene Pitney. It's an oldie but a goodie. Pineapple on your pizza? Holl: I don't believe in it. Pizza should be pizza. I love pineapple, but there's a time and place for pineapple and it's not on pizza. M H J O N L I N E . C O M | O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1 14 1 2 3 4 5 5 QUICK HITS It's hockey in its purest form, playing outside. It's important to have that free time to work on your skills, do a little research and development by finding out what works and what doesn't. You can't beat it."