TMLfans.ca caught up with the Admirals’ Keith Aulie during Norfolk’s Calder Cup-winning celbrations yesterday. The former Leafs/Marlies defenceman was dealt to Tampa Bay at the 2012 trade deadline.
Q: What does this championship mean, for your teammates and also to win against your former team?
A: It’s a pretty awesome feeling. Obviously I’ve been through a lot this year, playing for four different teams and getting traded. I’m just trying to get my career going and obviously for this to happen is pretty sweet.
Q: Your team didn’t trail since Game 6 of the second-round series against Connecticut. To what do you attribute the consistency?
A: How close are guys are. We have a special team here. I knew it from the day I got sent down from Tampa at the end of the year. Right when I stepped into this group I knew there was something special. We’re just a big family, we’re brothers. I’ve only been here for two months and I feel like I’m part of their family. Obviously you see what all the hard work does.
Q: You had a chance to win a World Junior gold medal with Dustin Tokarski in 2009, and now you’re back together for this championship. How was your goaltender’s play?
A: Obviously we must be good luck together! I think maybe we should stay together for the rest of our careers, I don’t know, but it’s pretty good to win it in front of him. He’s been awesome all year, and he’s such a calming influence that it’s pretty cool.
Q: What does this victory do for your confidence heading into Tampa’s training camp this fall?
A: It’s going to be nothing but help. Obviously this has been a great experience playing against good players. Playing into June is great. I can’t wait to get next season started.
