The State News caught up with the hockey team's resident funny man, junior forward Zak McClellan. As the host of "In the Box with Zak McClellan" on msuspartans.com, he interviews fellow teammates each week. McClellan has won the past two Goofus Awards, which goes to the team's funniest player at the annual hockey banquet.
The State News: How did you get into "In the Box" on msuspartans.com?
Zak McClellan: A couple of interviews that I had in juniors, some guys would play pranks on me during the interview, and it wouldn't phase me that much. I could kind of keep going, have fun with it. I just always had a good time doing it and enjoyed it. (Hockey sports information director Jamie Weir) gave me a big break to have fun with it, and it's actually worked out really well.
SN: Is it safe to say that Larry King has nothing on you?
ZM: (Laughs) I don't know, Larry King's pretty established. Maybe like a Conan (O'Brien), maybe a late-night show — I'd give him a run for his money.
SN: You've won the past couple of Goofus awards. Are you set up for your third one this year?
ZM: A three-peat is pretty tough. We've got a lot of funny guys in the dressing room. But I think it would be something that I'd really love to have. I really like to have fun with the guys, and that's really one of my prouder things that the guys can come and have a good time with me.
SN: Have you ever pranked coach?
ZM: Deep down, I won't lie to you, I kind of want to get him once. But right now I don't have the cojones to do it. I'm trying, I'm trying, but I just don't have it yet. He still scares me. He just scares the crap out of me.
SN: What's your favorite prank over the years?
ZM: My freshman year, me and (junior forward Jim) McKenzie went over to one of the hockey houses and completely flipped everything over. Everything. They had one of those Culligan water coolers, and McKenzie flipped that over. We did everything, even the cereal boxes.
SN: What would you do with the Stanley Cup if you had one day with it?
ZM: I think I would go take it back to my family's candy stores, and I'd put a whole, big old batch of fudge right in the top of that baby. And then make a mold of it, you know? Let that baby chill, and then I could have a mold and I could have a chocolate cup. No one's ever probably done that.
