Sheng Peng
GLENDALE, Ariz. — A day after the San Jose Sharks’ season-opening victory over Arizona, San Jose Hockey Now caught up with Timo Meier for an exclusive 1-on-1.
We mostly chatted about his off-season, asking the hard-hitting questions like who’s the best-looking Sharks player in a turtleneck? What’s up with the BBQ grill he was hawking? He also talked about what the kids’ hockey camp that he started over the summer in his native Herisau means to him.
But we also touched on more serious topics: Did you know that Meier received a death threat from a St. Louis Blues fan after his “hand pass” goal in the 2019 Western Conference Finals? He also talked about his pre-Draft interview with the San Jose Sharks and how he was sure that they wouldn’t pick him.
This interview is lightly edited for length and clarity.
Sheng Peng: From what I understand, you thought the San Jose Sharks really didn’t like you after your pre-Draft interview. Why did you have that feeling? Do you remember any of the questions they asked you?
Timo Meier: I do not remember the questions. But it was the way they interviewed, it was a little special. A little different than other teams. Being 18, the questions seemed a little weird.
They asked me some difficult questions, tried to test me a little bit. It just gave me a weird feeling that they didn’t like me.
Looking back now, it’s actually pretty funny.
SP: Can you point to what was different about what they were doing? Other players have said, they have the light close to your face to maybe put more pressure on you.
TM: Yeah, it’s definitely like that, the questions they asked. It was to see how you react to some negative comments about you. The questions were a little different. Not chirping, but just saying some stuff.
SP: I know you liked Peter DeBoer as a coach. What is Bob Boughner doing different?
TM: We’ve only had a short time with him.
With Pete, he was a great coach. He was really fair. Giving guys opportunities, seeing how you play, giving you more ice time when you were doing well.
With Bob, a little different systems, obviously. Started the season yesterday, we’re excited to see this new system. He’s gonna put more of his stamp on this.
SP: You should have got a penalty shot yesterday, huh?
TM: Yeah, but we scored anyway, so it worked out well.
SP: Joe Thornton famously brought everybody together, young and old — who’s keeping everybody together now?
TM: It’s been a short time. But there are a lot of guys that can do that. All of the guys, we’ll do that.
So far, we’ve only played one game, so we haven’t really faced a lot of adversity. It’s an interesting time, chances for younger guys to step up in those moments where it really matters. It’s gonna be a challenging season with all the stuff going on and obviously the schedule and everything. So I’m looking forward to hopefully a lot of ups, but also, there’s going to be downs. React the right way and face some challenges and kind of get better off it.
SP: Bob said you’re somebody who’s speaking up a little more this year. So are you one of the guys who’s gonna take care of the young players like Joe did?
TM: Definitely you try to input whatever you learned from those guys that helped me when I was younger. Like I said, there’s a lot of leaders and everybody does it in their own way. That’s just how you contribute to the team. So I’m definitely trying to improve on that too.
SP: Last hockey question. I read that you received a death threat after that “hand pass” playoff goal in St. Louis. I hadn’t heard about that. Was that scary? I bet it was.
TM: With the social media and all that stuff and it was playoffs…I didn’t really pay much attention. It was kind of the first time something like that happened. It was just some social media stuff that I tried to put aside and didn’t really get bothered by it too much. But it was definitely a little weird feeling. Just the emotion of the game got a little over the top there, but nothing happened. So it’s all good.
SP: Did the San Jose Sharks or the NHL take extra security precautions?
TM: We just didn’t really get too much into it. I think the focus on there was playing hockey and just kind of put that stuff aside. That’s part of the game. There’s gonna be some bad comments. I try to take it not too seriously and just focus on the hockey part.
SP: Switching gears a bit. In your Instagram pictures and I remember seeing you with Nathan Pavelski a lot when he came to practice, you seem to really have a way with kids. Is that why you started your kids’ hockey camp in Switzerland?
TM: Yeah, definitely. I like to give back to the community, give back to where I’m from, and try to develop the hockey there. I think it’s a great thing to do. It gives me a lot of energy.
I’ve always wanted to do that. The first time was more difficult, obviously, with the circumstances. But it was a lot of fun, and it was a big success. So definitely move forward, try to do some more of that stuff. Use the time right that I have back home and make a difference there.
SP: How is hockey’s popularity in Switzerland?
TM: It’s growing. So I’m trying to bring my part to grow it even bigger. There’s still a lot of room for improvement there. I’m trying to take ownership in the area where I grew up and do as much as I can. Give the kids as many tips and show them how I did it, that it’s possible even being a kid from Switzerland. Give them the best opportunity to go and chase their dreams.
SP: And the camp was held in Herisau?
TM: That’s where it was. I had it with one of my coaches when I was, like, 12 years old. I have a good connection with him and he’s done it before, so he kind of helped me a lot with that. That was a lot of fun.
SP: I was reading this story about you when you were a kid. When professional players would come by and you would take their broken sticks out of the bucket and make sticks out for yourself.
TM: When I was young, I would pretty much spend all day at the hockey rink. It didn’t really matter who was playing, I was just happy to watch some hockey. I was looking for some some sticks and it was always a good time.
SP: Did you have a local Swiss hero?
TM: I had a few. Obviously, at that time, Mark Streit. The Swiss league players.
But to be honest, when I was a kid, I would just watch my hometown team, which was at that time, the third-highest league. I’d look at those players. They’d be my idols, even though it’s only the third-highest league. But I just loved the game and loved watching hockey.
SP: Another thing from home, I saw this summer that you were advertising a grill. Have you got Brent Burns a grill yet?
TM: I’ve actually never barbecued with Burnzie, I’d love to do it.
This summer, where we had some more time at home, I tried to cook a little more, the weather was nice. Do some barbecue with the friends.
I might have to do a little cookout with Burnzie some time.
SP: And that grill is like an Argentine-style?
TM: One of my buddies, he came up with that idea. He’s doing a great job. I got one from him and supporting his plan and it’s been a lot of fun cooking with that barbecue.
SP: I know that you’re an avid hiker. What’s your favorite hike in the world? What’s your favorite hike in the US?
TM: My favorite hike is probably at home, in the area where I live. That’s my go-to. I have never hiked, actually, in California.
SP: Oh, because you always go back home in the off-season, right? That makes sense. And did you see that that video in Switzerland of Joe Thornton doing karaoke?
TM: Yeah. (laughs) I saw that.
SP: Would you do karaoke if you’re on that show? And what song would you sing?
TM: I don’t know. Tough question. I’m not a good singer, to be honest. (laughs)
You might need a couple of beers before maybe, right?
Yeah. That would definitely help.
SP: Last question: Over the summer, a lot of your pictures, you’re having a good time, drinking some coffee, looking really good in a turtleneck. So are you the best-looking San Jose Sharks player in a turtleneck?
TM: (laughs) Maybe in a turtleneck, yeah. I think it’s a European thing. I haven’t seen a lot of guys…actually, Kaner wore one too. I think it’s kind of a European thing.
But we got a couple of guys who dress up well. High competition.