Goaltender Billy Christopoulos enters Air Force’s home-opening weekend coming off a strong showing in Alaska, helping the Falcons collect three of four points and allowing just three goals in two nights. Before the season, Billy took some time to field questions from The Flight Path for this edition of One-timers. Try as we might we couldn’t get one past him, though we came close at the end, as you’ll read and hear. This edition of One-timers also marks our continued move into audio features and it is made possible in part by one of our sponsors, Kostoff and Co. a proud supporter of Air Force hockey.
How did you spend your summer?
First I was in ESET Cadre (Expeditionary, Survival and Evasion Training) and then I went over to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, and got to fly an F-16, which was pretty cool. Then I was home third period for leave, and my brother actually got married, so I got to attend that which was fun. It was pretty busy.
Would you like to be a pilot, is that a goal?
Going on ops really opened my eyes to it because that was a pretty unbelievable experience getting to fly in an F-16 like that. I’ve never done anything like that, and it was unbelievable.
What’s the breakfast of champions?
For me it’s oatmeal, banana and then probably three of four hard-boiled eggs. It’s kind of gross, but I’m into it.
I understand Evan Feno is the team DJ. What can you tell us about his music mix?
He’s pretty unbelievable. He’s got the fade in and out, and what makes it even better is not only his music selection but he’s got the dance moves to go along with it. So he’s not only the DJ he’s probably the best dancer on the team, too.
He sounds like a young MC Hammer.
Oh yeah, absolutely. He’s a jack of all trades.
Billy Christopoulos
Did you have a favorite player growing up?
Yeah, I always looked up to Cam Ward. I’m from North Carolina, he’s the Carolina Hurricanes’ franchise goalie so he’s somebody I always looked up to. I got to meet him a couple of times, which was pretty cool.
Can you talk to us a little bit about the impact of the Hurricanes on youth hockey in the Carolinas? You’re a product of that and I’ve seen many names on NCAA rosters from there.
It exploded. I got there in ’99. The Canes moved there right around that time. They brought the youth program, the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes with them. They really tried to develop youth hockey because there was barely any hockey there before I got there. It’s really exploding. There’s a lot of names coming from there, I was kind of surprised by it. You’ve got some guys playing college, pros, it’s pretty good.
Is there a team comedian?
I’d have to go with Evan Giesler. He’s one of those guys who be an animated character, he can do any voice you want. He’s got the jokes. So he’s got it all.
Is there one guy whose shot on the team, when he winds it up that you’re thinking, “oh boy”?
If we’re talking wrist shot from the top of the circles and (Trevor) Stone’s coming in I’m kind of fearing for my collar bones there because he’s got the high and hard (shot). But if somebody’s laying into a one-timer, everybody knows (Phil) Boje’s got one of the heaviest shots on the team as long as his stick doesn’t break.
Which one of your teammates do you think would make a good general?
Oh man. Not (Brady) Tomlak for sure. I’m going to have to start ruling some guys out. I’d could see Matt Koch being a general. He’s a pretty serious guy, pretty down to earth. I’d go Matt Koch.
Do you have a favorite road trip, either in or outside the conference?
Anytime we go up to the New York area. West Point is awesome because the crowd is crazy and then we go to – I can’t remember the restaurant up in New York – Big Mike’s. The best pasta of all time up there. Good food and pretty cool atmosphere.
When you need to unplug, what do you do?
I like hiking and I’m trying to do a lot of 14ers while I’m here. But during the season I just hang out in my room. I’m a big fantasy football guy, so I like keeping up with some NFL football.
Last one, and this is the stumper … If Coach Serratore was a superhero, who would he be?
A superhero? That’s a tough one. This must be the one that stumped Feno. I’d go Batman. He’s a really nice guy at heart but you don’t want to make him mad. You don’t want to get him going.
Give a listen to the full interview below.
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