Jeremy Yablonski: Grappling on Ice

Earlier today I was able to sit down and have a phone interview with the newest member of the New York Islanders organization, Jeremy Yablonski.

Yablonski has spent most of his hockey career playing in the American Hockey League (AHL), most recently with the Binghamton Senators. In one NHL appearance with the St. Louis Blues, the enforcer dropped the gloves with Todd Fedoruk and later in the game attempted to dance with, then, tough guy Donald Brashear.

Outside of hockey, Yablonski has a Mixed Martial Arts career as well.  He is 3-0 with three knockouts and is currently the XFS (Extreme Fight Series) Heavyweight Champion. His three bouts have all ended by way of knockout. His first fight ended in 19 seconds, his second in 17 seconds and his heavyweight championship match lasted a full one minute and nineteen seconds.

Do not be fooled, Jeremy is also a six time golden gloves boxing champion.

We’d like to thank Kimber Auerbach, the Director of Communications with the New York Islanders for setting up the interview as well as Jeremy Yablonski for taking the time to answer some questions for you, the fans of the New York Islanders.

Let’s get it on:

AC: Jeremy, how does your mixed martial arts background tie into you being a hockey player? How does it help you?

JY: It helps in the aspect that, my job as a hockey player – being that I am an enforcer – is the fighting part of the game. Learning fighting styles, body control, and grappling can all be crossed over and related into hockey fighting. It truly helps a lot on the ice.

AC: As a mixed martial artist, one of the main things that you are taught is discipline. Being an enforcer on the ice, does the discipline you are taught from martial arts help you in your control and understanding that, as much as fighting is a part of hockey, there is a time and place for it on the ice?

JY: Oh definitely. Fighting has it’s place and time. When certain things happen out there, it definitely comes into play. Stepping up for teammates and taking care of business. But, you definitely can not lose your cool out there and that is something I learned a few years ago. I had a boxing coach by the name of Jim Kirby from my home town who actually used to train Lennox Lewis back in the day. It was all about keeping your cool. You do your best and avoid freaking out and have your adrenaline get too high because you could get embarrassed within seconds if you don’t keep it under control.

Just keep everything under control and know when to throw your shots in.

AC: Your first stint in the NHL was with the St. Louis Blues. During that game you fought Todd Fedoruk. Later in the game, you attempted to fight Donald Brashear however, he wouldn’t drop them with you.  What does that say to you? Do you feel that, with Donald, it was a matter of intimidation or more along the lines of him knowing “a place and a time to drop ‘em”?

JY: I don’t think so (on the intimidation factor). He (Brashear) just has that attitude as well as (at the time) a reputation around the league. Yes, then, he was one of the best (fighters), so for him, it was more everything to lose on his part and everything to gain for me in that fight and I think that’s why he didn’t take the fight.

To me, it seemed as if he didn’t want to lose the fight to this “new blood” kid. So that is what I think the issue was there.

AC: On the AHL, you’ve spent the last few seasons with the Binghamton Senators. What is it like, travel wise, in the AHL.?

JY: Obviously when you are in the AHL, the far trips you would take a plan and the closer teams we would travel to by bus. But, you are on the bus a lot.  The advantages are the bonding involved during the travels. You get to be with a lot of the guys and you get to bond. It helps as a team when everyone gets closer which I think is an important part in winning.

AC: When you found out that the Islanders came calling and offered you a contract, what do think it is going to take to make the big club this season?

JY: I just have to go in and give it my all.  Obviously, I’ve played against Bridgeport for the past few years so they know what I bring to the table with the toughness and game wise. I basically have to go in and prove that I can do my job efficiently at that level and in that aspect and just prove that I can play the game.

Nowadays you can be the toughest guy in the world but if you can not play hockey you will not play in the NHL. That is the other aspect, just playing the game, the simple game of hockey. I know I’m a fourth liner, I know that the job requires to get the puck deep, or get the puck out of your own zone, get some pucks on net and of course to not allow the other team to score (chuckling).

AC: You don’t mind playing that enforcer role?

JY: Not at all. That’s my role and I love my role. I love the fourth line and I love the type of guys I play with on the fourth line. That is just something that I have always loved about hockey.

Right now I’m just trying to perfect my role.

AC: Do you think now that you are a “veteran” hockey player, do you think you’ll be able to help the youngsters on board with all you have learned through your career? And do you feel you could help mentor a player like Trevor Gillies?

JY: Definitely. Enforcer or not, I think even the young guys on the team – the older guys can help the younger guys get through a tough game or a tough shift. I feel I can help keep the positive attitude going. I know what it takes to win games and with all the young guys coming up I feel I can help keep them focused.

Funny, and many might not know this but Trevor Gillies and myself are like best friends. We were in each others wedding parties and we played together as well years ago, maybe about ten years ago now, in Periora (the St. Louis Blues ECHL affiliate). Ever since then, we have always discussed playing together again because it would be something exciting for both of us. Hopefully we will get the chance (this season) to play on the same line together in New York so we can show people what we can do.

AC: With your MMA history, I’ll assume it’s Hockey player first, MMA fighter second?

JY: Definitely. Hockey is what I love. I grew up playing hockey and the MMA stuff kinda just fell into place. I was a Golden Glove boxer growing up, took a lot of boxing growing up, and from boxing I got in with a bunch of MMA guys and a lot of them are my good buddies now.

I was training, and in continuing my MMA training a few of the guys stated that I was getting really good and that I should start fighting. (laughing) So I said sign me up for a fight, get me a fight and that’s how it all happened.

But with the MMA stuff, it’s more of a summer thing (the training) for me.

AC: I notice that you, through research, have had two MMA fights of record, and you are 2-0 with two knockouts.  Sure enough, your second knockout developed in quicker time over your first knockout. Do you have the UFC in your sights?

JY: I don’t know about that. Actually, I’ve had three fights, and my third match ended in one minute and nineteen seconds via knockout and it was for the Heavyweight belt, believe it or not. (I congratulated him) But, I mean, I’d love to fight in the UFC and it is something that I would love to do someday but right now Hockey takes up my year round schedule. Sure, I’d love to fight in the UFC but the NHL is a year round situation  just like the UFC but my main focus is on hockey. It is something I might think about when hockey is over but until then it is all hockey.

AC: You have to have role models in life, and for the most part we all do.  As an enforcer and a hockey player, who did you look up to in hockey while you were growing up?  Anyone that you’ve attempted to mimic your game off of?

JY: Growing up in Saskatchewan, I always like the tough part of hockey. That is something I grew up to love so obviously I followed guys like Kelly Chase and Joey Kocur and even Bob Probert. When I was young he was considered the king of toughness so he is one that I’ve always attempted to play like. It’s likely the reason I took the role of enforcer and styled my game this way (from who I grew up watching).

AC: Is there a difference, Jeremy, when you go into your training – comparing the NHL to MMA training – are they similar or two completely different things?

JY: I guess, all summer long you are training, whether I am preparing for a fight or not. (With the) MMA stuff has a lot of weight training and obviously with hockey it’s a lot of on-ice workouts to add to the summer training. But there is a great crossover in the training that ties into hockey with the cardio. It is stuff I do all summer long anyway.

I do different things for both.  If I’m preparing for a fight, there is actual fighting tactics that are involved where I’ll get into the ring with some of my buddies who wrestle and I’ll get into the cage with them to prepare.

AC: Do you have a favorite MMA fighter?

JY: There are a lot of guys I like from the UFC. Of course, there are many different styles so there are a lot of guys I like.  Obviously, one guy is Chuck Lidell. He likes to fight, he likes his strengths, he likes to throw bombs and that is something I really like to do. I love the fighting but my first love is throwing those hip checks, and landing those big bombs (on the ice). But, with landing big bombs and knocking guys out, it works well in the cage and he (Lidell) was one of the first guys I looked up to. So, anyone who fights that kind of style I respect.

AC: As an MMA fighter, was that first knockout a feeling that you could say would be the equivalent of scoring an NHL goal?

JY: The first knockout came pretty easy for me. I think it was more the hype of just getting into the cage and fighting. The knockout really wasn’t anything new to me (with my boxing history). However, winning the heavyweight belt was really exciting for me. I was a guy going in and fighting this big tall, wrestling style fighter who not many really liked. All he really did was wrestle guys down and have them tap out. I ended up knocking him out and that was exciting for me.

The title match lasted under a minute and a half and he (my opponent) actually wrestled me down to the mat. Lucky for me I knew how to get out of all of those holds, and when I got to my feet I said to myself that there would be no way this guy is going to beat me. I started throwing some bombs, landed a couple (he starts laughing here) and he went face down.

AC: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions that you take part in prior to or while lacing up the skates?

JY: I’m not a big superstitious guy but I do have a routine. For myself, I like to arrive at the rink a little early and I like to relax. I don’t like to rush to the rink and throw my gear on. I take my time, let the adrenaline build up to game time and right before it’s time to get on the ice I let it all out. I let the adrenaline build up.  So for me it’s more a routine over the superstitious stuff.

AC: Do you have a certain type of pre-game meal?

JY: During the hockey season (he laughs) it’s mostly chicken, steak, veggies and brown rice or potatoes. I eat that pretty much all season long (he laughs again).

AC: It’s all about the protein eh Jeremy?

JY: Oh yea, it’s all about eating clean. Staying healthy, keeping my body healthy and keeping my body prepared for the season.

AC: Any type of music or music style you prefer to listen to prior to a game?

JY: Getting close to game time, anything with a beat. I can listen to some techno/dance style music, or you could throw on some Godsmack. You know, get some good upbeat tempo and get the blood flowing right before the hockey game.

AC: Anything the Bridgeport fans and/or the Islander fans can look forward to from you for the upcoming season?

JY: For me, I’m just excited to go there.  It’s new teammates, new fans, and I’m really excited.  I’ll be heading to a new city and playing with a new team. I’m definitely looking forward to the upcoming season and I hope the fans will enjoy my time with their team.

Jeremy was an amazing person to talk to, being all that he does and has done within his personal life.  It was an absolute pleasure to interview him and we wish him the best of luck in the upcoming season and onward.