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Nuts & Bolts: Killorn is 'Always Sunny': Hedman the future pilot; Beliveau remembered

 
Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) celebrates with centers Brian Boyle (11) and Steven Stamkos (91) after they defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)  TPA112
Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) celebrates with centers Brian Boyle (11) and Steven Stamkos (91) after they defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) TPA112
Published Dec. 7, 2014

Short shift With C Alex Killorn

Must-TiVo TV show: Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Started watching it two years ago. Only TV show I've watched every single show. It's hilarious.

Second-best sport: Golf. I'm a 3 or a 4 handicap.

If you weren't playing hockey, what would your job be? Maybe something in real estate or finance, or coaching hockey.

Best concert: Zac Brown Band in Foxborough, Mass.

Toughest class at Harvard: Econometrics

How'd you do? Average.

Flying high

Many say D Victor Hedman flies on the ice thanks to the Swede's speed. But Hedman (above) would like to really take his talents to the air and get a pilot's license after he retires.

Hedman, 23, always has had a passion for flying, stemming from his grandfather being a marine pilot. He'd play flight simulator on his computer as a kid. But a couple of years ago, Hedman took the next step, getting eight hours of experience flying a Piper PA-32 with an instructor in Sweden, even landing once himself.

"It's a big rush," he said. "You're so concentrated, but at the same time, when you put the wheels down and kind of slow down, it's a pretty unbelievable feeling for the first time."

Has he ever asked to take control of the team plane?

"Never," he said, laughing. "I would never put everyone in that situation."

Remembering Beliveau

C Alex Killorn said one of his most prized possessions is a large photo signed by Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau, who died last week at 83. Though Killorn, 25, never got to see Beliveau play, he grew up in the Montreal area and felt Beliveau's impact.

"Everyone knew about how good a player he was, how celebrated he was, and more important, how good of a man he was," Killorn said.

D Mark Barberio, who also lived in the Montreal area, said his father told him Beliveau was a player he should emulate. "He's a warrior on the ice and a gentleman off the ice," Barberio said. "He's revered in Montreal. He's a hockey god, really."

LW Jonathan Drouin watched clips of Beliveau as a kid and saw him in the stands at the Bell Centre in Montreal. "When he walked into a room, it turned quiet," Drouin said. "People were like, 'Oh my god, he's here.' "

Former Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier wore No. 4 in honor of Beliveau.

From the fans

For any player: Who is your biggest rival?

Said D Matt Carle: "Since I've been here, it's probably been Montreal. I know the guys had a playoff series a few years back with Washington, being in the same division a couple years ago. But now with Montreal in our division and playing them in the playoffs, every game we play against them the last few years is pretty much a battle."

Have a question for a Lightning player? Send it to me via Twitter @TBTimes_JSmith or email joesmith@tampabay.com, and we'll answer them in Sunday's paper.