Sept. 2, 2010
MADISON, Wis. -- With the start of official men's hockey practice exactly one month from today, we begin introducing Wisconsin’s newcomers with their answers to questions that delve into some of their likes and dislikes and what makes them tick.
We begin with power as Pewaukee, Wis., native Gavin Hartzog arrives at Wisconsin and immediately takes the crown of "team's largest player." At 6-3 and 223 pounds, the forward was set to play this season for former UW assistant coach Kevin Patrick as part of the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks, but was invited instead to Madison following Derek Stepan's early departure to the NHL's New York Rangers.
Hartzog split his time last season with the USHL's Fargo Force and the NAHL's Bismarck Bobcats, with whom he won the 2010 Robertson Cup as league champions.
Here's a little more about Gavin.
Favorite Athlete: Aaron Rodgers
Favorite NHL Player: Pavel Datsyuk
Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Red Wings
Favorite School Subject: Biology
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Movie: "Slap Shot"
Worst movie you’ve ever seen: "Slap Shot 3"
Favorite Superhero: Superman
Favorite Video Game: "Madden"
Favorite Musician: Jay-Z
Favorite Book: "Kite Runner"
Last Book Read: "Playing With Fire" (autobiography of Theo Fluery)
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Favorite Hockey Memory: Winning national championship
TV Show you never miss: "Entourage"
First pro sports even you attended: Milwaukee Admirals
Age started playing hockey: Four
First job: Babysitter
Biggest fear: Failure
Before each game, I: Listen to music and mentally prepare
Favorite Vacation Spot: Grand Haven, Michigan
Childhood hero: Steve Yzerman
What’s your cell phone ring? “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled
Most famous person you’ve met (where and when): Brett Favre at the old Brett Favre’s Steakhouse in Milwaukee years back
Magazine subscription: Men’s Health
Dream car: 1967 Shelby Mustang GT
Hobbies/Interests: Skimboarding
If I could play another UW sport, it would be: Football
Hidden talent nobody knows about: Hockey
If you could have dinner with any two living people, who and why? Gordie Howe and Lance Armstrong because of all their accomplishments and storied careers
If you could have dinner with any people in history, who and why? Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr. because of their devotion to helping others
Autobiography title: "The Man, The Myth, The Legend"
Greatest invention of the last 100 years: Facebook
Coolest Halloween costume: Terry from Reno 911
For me, playing college hockey is: A dream come true
Greatest inspiration: My parents
Reality show you could win and why: The Bachelorette, because I’m a gentleman
Why did you come to Wisconsin? Great school and rich tradition in hockey
If you were to give yourself a creative title for your personal business card, what would it say? Business in front, party in the back
What would your pro wrestling name be? The Moose
If you could have one super power, what would it be? The ability to read other people’s minds
President of any company, which one? Gold’s Gym
Worst household chore: Doing the dishes
If you could give your life savings to a charity, which would you choose? Special Olympics
What are you a self-proclaimed expert at? Hide-n-seek
Favorite event in the Summer Olympics: Beach volleyball
One wish, what would it be? Play in the NHL
