Jonathan Davis is back today with another guest column for MayorsManor. Davis, a 20-year veteran of sports and entertainment writing and producing, recently caught up with Landon Ferraro, son of former LA King forward Ray Ferraro. The chip off the ol’ block played his junior hockey in the WHL (Red Deer Rebels and Everett Silvertips) and was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings during the second round of the 2009 NHL Draft. Currently, he’s enjoying his second season as a pro with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins…
JD: What’s the deal with you, your dad and chicken parmigiana?
LF: My dad got me hooked. I could eat it every night and be happy. Hey, it’s got protein and carbs. Everything you need in a pregame meal.
You are no stranger to Twitter and I see you have over 3000 followers….
It is just such a cool way to connect with friends and other players around the league. I chirp my dad (Ray) on twitter more than anyone. Like the night he wore a flannel shirt to a country music concert. Really dad? Really, a flannel shirt.
Last time you were on the wrong end of a bodycheck?
Oh man, that was Brett Lebda. It wasn’t a huge hit, it’s just the guy is so solid that it felt like my shoulders were touching each other after he hit me.
How about the last time you leveled a buddy of yours?
That would have been my good buddy Alex Petrovic (San Antonio). I got him good and then later in the game there were guys pushing and shoving and someone grabs me and gives me the good old “face wash”. I was getting ready to deck the guy and as I turn around it’s Alex with a big old smile on his face. We both had a good laugh.
Any significance to you wearing 29?
I grew up wearing 13. I was a big Mats Sundin fan growing up but I don’t think Datsyuk is leaving the Wings anytime soon so I had to make a number switch. I went with 29 because I like any number that takes up a lot of jersey space. Any number that makes me look bigger is a good thing.
Who controls the music in the lockeroom?
That would be Brennan Evans. He usually has a good variety going. I take over once in a while before practice. A little Coldplay or Alexi Murdoch.
Who shouldn’t have control the music?
That honor goes to Tomas Tatar. It doesn’t matter if it’s 8:15 in the morning or 8:15 at night. He’s blasting ‘house music’. My locker is right by the speakers and it feels like I’m being punched in the head every time.
Besides anything that I’ve asked. What is the dumbest question that has come your way?
Some guy asked me if I was jealous of my dad. I didn’t know what to say. It pretty much put an end to the interview.
Being around the game with your dad, are there any moments that stand out for you getting to meet NHL players?
When my dad played those three seasons in Atlanta at the end of his career I was spending a lot of time at the rink, filling up water bottles, cleaning visors and being a general pain in the ass. Besides that I did become good friends with Dany Heatley. We would spend an hour a day just talking hockey. He’s such a great guy.
Have you ever played against any of your dad’s former teammates that knew you growing up?
Andrew Brunette was best buds with my dad and I got to line up opposite him at a face off and he just started laughing. Sean O’Donnell was another. We actually named our dog “OD” which was Sean’s nickname. When he saw me on the ice he said, “I know my career is over, if your old enough to be playing in the NHL.”
One teammate that you better have eyes in the back of your head or you will be his next practical joke victim?
That would be Triston Grant. Your head has to be on a swivel with him. I was on the trainer’s table and he walks by and rips out 48 leg hairs. Damn it hurt. He’s my roomy on the road and he has this nasty habit of hiding behind doors, in closets. He has scared the crap out of me on more than one occasion.
One thing I have to say about your dad is that he has one of the coolest jobs in the business.
His job has allowed him to stay close to the game that he loves so much. I guess he must look smaller than 5-10 because I remember him telling me a story about someone leaving a step stool in the box that he calls the game from with a note saying, “just want to make sure you can see over the boards.”
You’ve had to battle injuries over the past few years. How much help is it having your dad who had to battle through injuries in his career make the rehab process easier?
My dad had his share of knee injuries through his career so he knows what I am going through. It is so easy to get down but was a big help in keeping me focused and getting back to 100%.
You can follow Jon Davis on twitter (@westcoasthky) and he recently started his own website (westcoasthky.com), plus he continues to provide content for The Hockey News and TSN in Canada.
