Q-and-A with Eric Smith, St. Rita

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Erik Smith, St. Rita hockey player

Updated: February 27, 2012 9:49AM

Eric Smith, a senior from St. Rita, began playing hockey with St. Jude. The resident of Chicago’s Beverly community and St. Cajetan school graduate plays right wing for the Mustangs.

How much pressure does the team feel trying to win a fifth straight Kennedy Cup?

A lot. Everyone is looking forward to us winning it. We feel like we have to do it.

If you could have your pick, which team would you like to play for the Cup championship?

St. Viator. They’ve been a pretty tough matchup for us. There’s been a lot of energy in our games.

You’re on a deserted island. You could have an endless supply of one food. What would it be?

A Beggars Pizza, with sausage and cheese.

If you could have your pick, what celebrity would you choose as your prom date?

Alessandra Ambrosio (Victoria’s Secret Model).

Given the chance, what person, dead or alive, would you most like to meet? Why?

Herb Brooks. He coached the gold medal team in the Olympics and did a lot for hockey in the U.S. He also had a lot of energy and emotion for the game. He’s someone I admire.

Take your pick — Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane?

Toewser. When you watch Hawks games, he back checks, fore checks and goes hard up and down the ice. He’s always working.

Your team crashes on a deserted island. Who gets eaten first?

Mike Wagner (junior, forward). I’m sick of hearing his voice in the locker room.

As told to Pat Disabato