Blackhawk Profile: Carlyle Meadows

Carlyle is engaged to be married later this year. He currently lives alone with his plants.

Number: 6
Position: Defenseman

Favorite NHL City:
"I guess I like all of them. There is always something interesting, unique about every city. Maybe if I had to pick one out it'd be Vancouver. Don't care for the arena, but the city is nice, right there on the water. I like that, I like being near the sea."

Toughest Opponent:
"I don't know. No one in particular. If I can answer 'the playoffs', that'd be it. I'm looking forward to them next year, and hopefully I can help my team out."

Favorite Book:
I like the stuff by Phillip Dick. The main characters are always moving around in a world where every thing is stacked against them, and they'd really rather give up, but something just makes them maintain their hope. I like that kind of story. They don't want to do anything, but they have to, so they do.

Favorite Movie:
I liked Prognosis Negative. Good script. I also liked Laser Devil 2, Hugo's Revenge, it took me somewhere different.

In your spare time you:
I like taking care of my plants. I have a cool collection of authentic spears and historical weapons like that. I work on them from time to time. Naturally, I like to play golf. You have to if you want to be considered normal in our locker room.

If you didn't play Hockey:
That is really hard. I feel like I could do just about anything. I guess I'd try to get a job that would let me be close to Katherine, my fiance.

I sat down with Carlyle last week at a downtown deli and after lunch, he answered some questions candidly.

CT: Carlyle, what do you suppose fans don't know about you that they should.

Carl: Well, I do regret my performance in the playoffs last year. I know that this is the second year in a row, I've kind of dissappeared. I want the fans to know that I really am looking forward to another chance, and I won't let them down.

CT: You've had to tell the story about your amnesia many times over already. Would you tell it one more time?

Carl: Well, I guess everyone knows about the time I've been with the 'hawks. I played one month for the Columbus Chill. A few months before that I was found.

Carl: I just don't remember anything before turning up in that meadow. I was drenched, and pretty hungry, but no real clues. A good friend of mine Victor ... well he is now. See, the police were called and Victor, who was then a patrolman, came and tried to help me find my family or someone who knew me. We didn't turn anything up, but he got me a job at his uncle's meat packing warehouse. At that time, with everyone so concerned about who I was and where I belonged, I guess it got me a little amped up too. Hockey,... playing hockey, was just about the only thing that took my mind off of it, so I played and I guess I have enough talent to play in the NHL. I can't say it has been a lifelong dream, but I do enjoy it quite a bit. Now I've got the fever to win the cup, along with my teamates, and I hope next year we can do it.

CT: When did you meet your finace?

Carl: I met Kathrine after we won a game in New York and we started dating when we both were in the others' city. She makes me feel like I belong. I trust her judgement about things that I don't feel I've had enough time to get a clear direction on. Eventually, we decided to get married.

CT: You really have no memories of what you were doing before you played hockey that day?

Carl: I've tried to find my parents, but nothing's turned up. Victor, he's now a lieutenant, he gets a lead every now and then, but I really don't know. I'm going to try hypnosis next week sometime. Katherine doesn't like it. She jokes that I might turn out to have been a bank robber.

CT: Somehow I don't see the city prosecuting if you do end up with a sinister past. Lets talk about next year. Your coach, John, has stated in the past that he wasn't happy with the physical aspect of your game. Are you two any closer one that or-...

Carl: Look, my coach knows that no one in the league wants to fight me anymore. The reputation I have for knocking guys out of the game has been totally blown out of proportion. It gotten to the point where if I do put a hit on someone, I'm probably going to draw a penalty, and my team doesn't need that. I operate better when they try to start something. I'll finish it. John, coach, knows that but I think when he said those things, he was just frustrated with our team's effort and my effort too. No one really questions my ability to mix it up. CT: Congratulations on your marraige. Have a good season and thanks for meeting me.

Carl: Thanks, no problem.

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