[Cambridge]

Paul Mara is a defenseman for the Boston Bruins. A 27-year-old native of Belmont, Massachusetts, Mara is also a Red Sox season ticket holder. The seventh overall pick in the 1997 NHL draft, the 6’ 4”, 220 lb. Mara spent parts of three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning before being traded to Phoenix in March of 2001. After setting a career high with 15 goals for the Coyotes last season, the Belmont Hill Academy product was acquired by the Bruins on June 26, 2006 in exchange for Nick Boynton. Mara has one goal and 13 assists through January 7.

http://bostonbruins.com/team/images/headshots/mara_paul.jpg

RSN: You were born and raised in Red Sox Nation. Who were your favorite players growing up?

PM: I definitely grew up with the Red Sox, but I liked a lot of players. I was a big George Brett fan, and used to collect all of his cards. Another guy I liked was Mark Langston. It’s kind of hard to say why. With both him and Brett, I guess I mostly just enjoyed watching them play. Roger Clemens was my favorite Red Sox player.

RSN: Along with hockey, you played baseball growing up. Were you good enough that you could have competed beyond the high school level?

PM: I was a pitcher, although I only played through my sophomore year because of hockey. I think I probably could have played college ball had I stayed with it, but it’s hard to say for sure.

RSN: Being a pretty big guy, were you a power pitcher?

PM: I guess so, if that’s what you wanted to call me. I threw pretty hard, but mostly just tried to get it over. I enjoyed baseball, and still like watching it, but I knew my future was going to be in hockey.

RSN: You have season tickets at Fenway Park. How long have you had them?

PM: This will be my seventh year. My tickets are on the third base side, and I get to as many games as I can. I always try to go when the Yankees are in town, and whenever there’s a good pitching match-up.

RSN: Who are the biggest Red Sox fans you know in the game of hockey?

PM: It would have to be Brian Boucher, who is with the Chicago Blackhawks now. He’s from Rhode Island, and a big Red Sox fan.

RSN: How about on the Bruins?

PM: None of the guys here grew up in New England, so I’m not sure that many of them are serious fans. None have come to Fenway with me yet, but maybe next summer.

RSN: Looking at the Red Sox roster, is there anyone you could imagine being a good hockey player?

PM: Man, I’m not sure. Maybe Big Papi…? Nah, probably not. Maybe Coco Crisp, because he’s pretty fast? I guess I can’t think of any obvious ones.

RSN: What is the biggest difference between hockey and baseball players?

PM: The paychecks, maybe? Both obviously take a lot of skill, but they’re totally different sports, really. You need good hand-eye-coordination for both, but overall, one is slower and more deliberate, while the other is more high-speed and physical.

RSN: You had your jaw broken by Chris Simon in 1999. What do you remember about that?

PM: That it hurt! I was standing in front of the net when he took a wrist-shot that hit me square and broke my jaw in two places. Afterwards, it killed me trying to eat, and two days later they wired it shut. I’d say that it’s the most pain I’ve ever been in.

RSN: Earlier this season you challenged Toronto’s Darcy Tucker after he ran one of your teammates. Do you think that in the eyes of many Bruins fans, that’s when you truly became a Boston Bruin?

PM: That’s probably true. Bruins fans are passionate, and they like that stuff. They want to see you stand up for your teammates and play physical hockey. You want to do that as a player, too. You want to do whatever it takes.

RSN: You’ve played in a couple of good sports towns, including Detroit. How does Boston compare?

PM: I haven’t seen better fans anywhere than here. That goes for all four teams: the Bruins, the Red Sox, the Patriots, and the Celtics. Detroit is definitely one of the better ones, though. So is St. Louis. And New York, obviously, but none compare to Boston. The fans here are incredible.

RSN: You left Massachusetts to play junior hockey in Sudbury, Ontario when you were 16 years old. What was Sudbury like?

PM: It was quite an experience, especially coming from here. There’s definitely not much to do in Sudbury. In a way, it was like landing on the moon.

RSN: How so?

PM: It’s a big nickel mining community, and very flat with no trees. Astronauts used to train there, because it really is kind of like the moon. I’m serious.

RSN: You played in Germany during the 2004-2005 NHL lockout. What was that like?

PM: It was tough getting used to Germany at first, but it got better. Learning some of the language helped. It was a good experience, but it was nice to come home, too.

RSN: Were you in Germany during the Red Sox championship run?

PM: No, I didn’t go there until two weeks after the World Series, so I was at all of the home playoff games. It was huge to have us finally win it. It definitely took a huge monkey off the city’s shoulders.

RSN: You played on three World Junior teams and on the 2004 World Championship team that competed in Prague. What were the highlights from those experiences?

PM: Any time you represent your country is memorable, but getting the Silver Medal in Geneva in 1997 was probably the most notable. We ended up losing to Canada 2-1 in the finals, which was disappointing, but it was still a good accomplishment.

RSN: What has been your biggest thrill in hockey as a player?

PM: I’d say it’s my first NHL goal. I was just 19 at the time, and was called up for one game late in the season. I got it in Florida, against the Panthers.

RSN: How about your biggest thrill as a fan?

PM: My dad, brother, and I were at Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals last year. Any time you can be at a Game 7 it’s going to be special, so it would have to be that.

RSN: For baseball, I assume it has to be the Red Sox winning the World Series?

PM: Absolutely. Watching us beat the Yankees in the playoffs that year was great, too -- especially the way we came back from being down three games to none. It was a really great time to be a Red Sox fan.

[Big Dog Dan]

Great interview!!! Paul is a great guy and seems like an easygoing interview. He's been playing better as of late for the Bruins and it's always nice to see a skilled local guy play for the Big Club.

[SteelSox]

Nice interview David. It's good to see Mass. guys play for the Bruins. I liked the trade when it happened and he is playing better.

He'll have to get some guys to the games.

[Bozzs]

Thanks Dave !
great interview as usual..Paul seems pretty grounded
Go B's !!! :)