BUTCHERS UUTISET

NATHAN CONNORIN HAASTATTELU

Mikä on miehiään tämä Butchersin uusi Kanadalaisvahvistus Nathan Connor. Tässä tuhti paketti miehestä, hänen ajatuksistaan ja saavutuksistaan.

Nathan Connor

I started playing in when I was 12 years old.  I played from 1992-2002, took 2003 off and was the offensive coordinator/runningback coach for a high school team in Edmonton. I returned to playing in 2004 with the Edmonton Stallions, a semi-pro team.  I have a University Degree in Sociology and have returned to University to get an Education Degree.

Born: Drumheller Alberta Canada

Total years of american football: 12

Tell more about Drumheller, Alberta. What kind of place it is?

Drumheller is a small town, I only lived there a very short time. I grew up, from about age 1-18 in a town called Brooks, about 13000 people.  Its a town full of great people, I only moved so I could attend a good university. 

What is your impression of Finland/Porvoo/Butchers?

My knowledge of Finland is limited at this point, the only thing I know is that they are a hockey nation much like Canada.  The City of Porvoo looks to be a very interesting city, full of history and culture. I am excited to have the chance to learn much of it.  The Butchers seem to be a team on the rise, last season they had a very strong defense and over this offseason have made very good moves picking up talented offensive players.  We will definitly be a contender for the championship.

You are Butchers first Canadian support, how do you see this issue? We think that Canadians are much like we, “little brothers from north” ?

I am glad to be the first Canadian player to play for the butchers.  When Canadian sports are spoken of hockey is the only thing that comes to mind.  While hockey is what Canada is known for we also have much talent at other sports such as football and baseball.  I am happy to be the one to show the Butchers what a Canadian can do.  I see people from Finland as much like Canadians, Like you said, "little brothers from the north", even thought I'm sure you as well as we are very different than our southern brothers.

AFL (Alberta Football League) is unknown here. How you describe level and toughness of playing in that serie?

The AFL is a Semi-pro senior league.  Over the last few years the level of play has risin to a very high level, with former Canadian University players, US university players, as well as players from the CFL and NFL.  While some teams are at a different level than others it is a very tough league.

You achieve very good yards in AFL, how do you see this achievement?

I see this as a large acheivement for 2 reasons.  The 1257 yards I got were a league record, beating the old record by almost 500 yards.  And this was only my first year in this league.  But the best part of this acheivement is that it helped my team reach the championship game for the first time.

What was your teams offense game plan? You have "only" 3 catches and total 68 yards + 1 TD.

Our teams game plan revolved around running the ball, even our quarterback was a good rusher. when we threw the ball it was downfield, so even though I released on pattern the ball was usually thrown 20-30 yards downfield.  In previous years with my university I would catch many more balls, 25-30 a season. I am looking forward to playing on a team that throws to their runningbacks again.

What are your personal goals here?

My only personal goal in Finland is to do everything that is asked of me and win a championship with my team.  It may sound like a large goal but with the players on the Butchers I think it is a very reasonable goal.

What you are expecting for upcoming season?

I expect nothing less than a championship, but if it doesn't happen I expect I will have a great time trying to get there with what I understand is a great group of guys.

What is your figure/knowledge of Finland and/or Finnish american football?

I know much of American football but I do not know much of Finnish American football, but I am eager to learn everything I can about Finland and the football played there. 

What is your vision for your status in the team?

I invision that I will be an impact player for the Butchers, but I will do anything and play anywhere they ask me too.  I will do whatever it takes to win.

You are also from big hockey nation, why American football?

When I was young my father, who was a very good hockey player in his youth, tried to get me to learn to skate but according to him I just never liked it.  When I was 12 I tried football for the first time and fell in love with it.  I loved running with the football.  I have been a runningback for 12 years and can't think of a better sport to play.  It is harder to keep playing football for a Canadian than it is to make it as a hockey player but I still wouldn't change a thing. 

Butchers fans are very passionate for the american football&Butchers, how you are going to satisfate them?

I am very glad to hear that the fans in Porvoo are passionate for their football.  To satisfy them all I can do is play as hard as I can every play.  This will result in touchdowns and wins and hopefully a championship for the Porvoon Butchers and their fans.

What makes difference between winner and loser?

The difference between a winner and a loser is heart.  You have to be able to go and play every play like its the most important play of the game, because you never know which one will be the most important.  You have to leave the field knowing that you couldn't have givin any more of yourself, and more than not this will make a winner.

Who/what you respect most?

The person I respect most is my father, he is a very successful man who has always been there for me. 

Do you use sweatbands? And if you do, how many of those?

Haha, now this is a different question, but I do wear two, one on each arm, and I have since I was 15.

Your favorit...
...food: Pasta
...music: Oasis
...drink: milk
...hobby: Basketball
...entertain: going to the movies
...TV program: the OC
...movie: Boondock Saints

Is there something you want to say to fans/teammates/coaches?

I am looking foward to meeting all of you and playing some football...

Nathan so far...

Football teams and Awards:

Brooks Composite High School (1995-1998) - 3 time league leading rusher, 2 time interceptions leader, 2 time league MVP, 2 Championships.

University of Alberta (1998-2002) – 4 time team leading rusher (record), 2001 team MVP and All-Canadian, 2001 second in Canada in rushing, second all time in school rushing, 180 carries in one season (8 games-record), one of only a few runningbacks in Canadian University football history with 3000 career yards rushing.  In 2000 I lead western Canada in kick return yards/return 28.7 yards/return.

Edmonton Stallions AFL (2004) – 1^st team all-star, AFL rookie of the year, Hold single season league records in Carries 128, yards 1257, yards/carry 9.8, and touchdowns 21,  First and only player in AFL history to have rushed for over 1000 yards.

AFL=Alberta Football League

AFL-TILASTOT KAUDELTA 2004

Edmonton Stallions

26.2.2005 J.Niskanen/tilastot AFL/kuvat Nathan Connor