1-on-1 with Captain Steven Kampfer

Roadrunners Captain Steven Kampfer joined Adrian Denny, Kim Cota-Robles, Brett Fera and Jonathon Schaffer on this week’s edition of Roadrunners Happy Hour live from Calgary to talk about the team so far and his recovery from injury along with what teammate’s dog his family is watching this week while the team is on the road. Catch Happy Hour every Tuesday at 5 p.m. on Fox Sports 1450 AM and the complete conversation in the Roadrunners Happy Hour Podcast on the iHeartRadio app.

Listen to “Coming To You In Calgary” on Spreaker.

Q: You went to the University of Michigan. Two questions; Did you graduate? What did you study?

Yes I did, I graduated in 2010 and I studied Political Science. I really enjoyed it. My parents were big on the school part and making sure it wasn’t a General Studies degree and having a little bit of a purpose to why you are going to school. I initially wanted to get into Sports Management and learn how to do some of those things but ultimately found a little bit more of an interest in Political Science.

Q: You won the (Stanley) Cup in 2011 with Boston but your name is not on the cup. Is that true?

It is, I missed it by two games. I was with the team in December through the end of the year and I had three different injuries throughout the year that I missed time for. I had a concussion that I missed six games for, I tore my knee apart at the end of the year and had meniscus surgery so I wasn’t available for the playoffs. You can tell yourself you would’ve played those final two games (without the surgery) and they said I was young enough where I would have the chance at winning another cup. Everything happens for a reason and I was grateful to be along for the ride with those guys.

Q: We miss you on the ice but with you being out it gives other guys a chance to play like Patrik Koch and Montana Onyebuchi who have joined the lineup in the last few weeks and made big impacts. How have you liked what you’ve seen so far from those guys?

Kudos to them for stepping in and playing as well as they have after the first couple games. I think it speaks to what management and the coaches have done in going out and finding guys that are good quality people and good quality players. Both of them have held their own very well and their games will continue to grow as they get more and more ice time.

Q: We’ve talked to you a lot about being the Captain of this team. Have you been a Captain before and if not what has surprised you in this role?

I wore the “C” a long time ago. I wore the “A” a lot the last five or six years so I think if you’re looking at being the older guy and captain you get a lot of questions. I told the guys at the beginning of the year I have a very open door and I will always pick up my phone. I do consider this a family and consider these guys as brothers and I want them to all have that open line of communication. We have a very good leadership group from the top down and it’s a very ongoing process. If guys haven’t played for a few games you sit down and talk to them. As the captain I care a lot about what’s on the ice but I care even more about the people and where their head is at off the ice. Are they having a good day, bad day, is something going on, what can I help you with. I want these guys to succeed and have great careers and I want to be a small part of it.

Q: You have played hockey for a long time. What does this injury look like compared to others and how will it feel to step back on the ice?

I have had knee injuries and broken bones before so it’s nothing completely out of the ordinary. This is the first time I haven’t been able to walk or use my leg so it’s taken a little bit to get used to. I was on a scooter for two weeks and that was hard. The closer we get we can see how everything feels and start getting a timeline of when I can start traveling with the team a little more and start practicing a little more and going from there.