Paul Karpowich Chats With Game Time

When the Blues drafted Paul Karpowich in the 7th round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, not many knew who he was, other than his data said he was a goalie. Two years have passed, and the question remains, Who is Paul Karpowich?

Karpowich is not one of the team's high profile prospects. He doesn't play for a powerhouse college team. He isn't a flash and awe type player, but he's solid, and some would say very underrated.  Paul and I have been chatting recently, and some of the blanks have been filled in.

St. Louis Game Time : You were a seventh round pick of the Blues back in 2008, do you think you've progressed well since you've been drafted?

Paul Karpowich : I definitely think I have progressed since being drafted. Playing for Clarkson University has been great for my development. I have been fortunate enough to stay healthy and have got a lot of playing time. The entire coaching staff, especially my goalie coach Chris Rogles have helped me to improve and continue to develop as a goaltender.

GT : Playing for Clarkson, what are your best memories thus far?

Karpowich : Playing at Clarkson has been an amazing experience. There are so many good memories I have from there, both on and off the ice. Most of the memories involve my teammates. We've got a really good group of guys there and that's the reason I've had such an enjoyable time there.

GT : What is the high point of your career thus far?

Karpowich : The high point off my career without a doubt came my freshman year. It was our home opener and we were playing number one ranked Colorado College. We all knew what a challenge his would be but we came away with two ties (1-1 and 2-2). These were also the first two college games my parents ever saw me play, which made it extra special.

GT : Is there timeline for when you might turn pro?

Karpowich : I'd really like to get my degree before turning pro but will have to wait and see what happens.

GT : As a Blues fan myself, I can speak for most when I say that we don't know much about you. Can you tell us a bit?

Karpowich : Well I'm from Thunder Bay which is in northern Ontario and if you haven't been here you aren't missing much. There isn't a whole lot to do here apart from fish, hunt and play hockey. So that's basically all I do. I get out on the lakes as much as possible in the summer and get out ice fishing when I come home for Christmas.

GT : What style of goaltending do you play? Is there a certain goalie you try and mold yourself after?

Karpowich : I'm a butterfly goalie like most are these days. I've always modelled myself after Patrick Roy. He's been my favourite goalie since I started playing. If I had to pick a current goalie it would be Jaroslav Halak. He is very athletic, quick, and determined. I look forward to learning a lot from him.

GT : I've asked this a few times to the players I interview, if you weren't playing hockey, what would you be doing?

Karpowich : If I wasn't playing hockey I don't know what I'd be doing. Hockey is my life. I'd be lost without it. If I had to pick something.......being a professional fisherman wouldn't be too bad!

Thanks to Paul for spending some time with us as I personally enjoyed this one quite a bit. Hopefully we've learned more about Paul that we didn't know before. Hopefully he has the potential to make it to the NHL and good luck at Clarkson in the meantime.