Doug Reid is a 6’0″, 200-lb forward from Innisfil, ON. He comes to Huntsville after spending the past two seasons with the Markham Waxers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Reid served as team captain during the 2010-11 season, scoring 21-41–62 and helping his team clinch a berth in the OJHL playoffs. For his career in Markham, Reid scored 53-88–141 in 118 games. Reid played for Couchiching Terriers of the OPJHL in 2007-08, scoring 12-15–27 in 48 contests in his year-18 season; and he followed that season with 13-18–31 in 62 contests for the Grande Prairie Storm of the AJHL. In all, Reid played four years of Junior A hockey, scoring 78-121–199 in 228 games.
As with our other interviews, my questions will be in bold-face type.
When did you first start playing hockey? Who in your family played and was involved in you taking up the game? Have you always played your position, or have you played elsewhere on the ice? What was your favorite team and player growing up?
I was about 5 or 6 years old when I first began to play hockey. My older sister played hockey and had a scholarship to UConn, and my dad also played growing up. A lot of my family pushed me and supported me to playing hockey when I was younger. I have always been a centreman since I was younger, but for a few seasons I have been playing right wing as well. Growing up, my favorite team was the Colorado Avalanche, but my favorite player is Jarome Iginla.
Why do you want to play college hockey as your junior career came to an end? What schools recruited you other than UAH? Why did you choose UAH?
For a long time, I have wanted to play NCAA hockey. The caliber of hockey and opportunity to gain a good education attracted me over playing in the OHL where I am from. I talked to some other schools, but was always leaning towards UAH. I chose UAH because of my visit. I really liked everything the school and hockey had to offer, and I thought it was a great opportunity for me.
What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses on the ice? What is your favorite game situation?
I think the best area of my game would be my physical play and hard work, and my weakness would be not having quick feet when starting my skating stride.
When you’re not playing hockey, what are your favorite sports? If we come across you away from the rink, what are you going to be doing?
Outside of the rink I love to play a lot of sports. I was fairly big on football back in high school as a running back, but now I do a lot of wake boarding and snowmobiling. If it was summer back home, I would be on the water boarding, and if it was winter I would be out on a snowmobile.
What do you want out of your UAH experience? What do you expect to learn here to make you a more well-rounded person?
I expect a great education and very competitive hockey. I expect to learn a ton while I am here. From what I have seen so far from all the coaches, I know they can make me a better hockey player—whether it will be on the ice or in the gym.