"I don't have access to that information."
"But you're the captain. Surely you're informed when there are issues."
"Surely you could FOIA request that information from the university instead of asking me to speculate."
We're barely five minutes in and already at an impasse. I try a different approach. "What changes have you made to team culture since becoming captain?"
"Lots. Mandatory consent and respect training. Zero-tolerance policy on hazing. Academic accountability standards. Regular check-ins with players about mental health and wellbeing."
I write this down. "And how are those policies enforced?"
"Through team rules, coaching oversight, and me personally handling violations." He knows what he’s talking about.
"Can you give me an example of a violation you've handled?"
"No. Because that would violate the privacy of my teammates."
"Even anonymously?"
"Even anonymously." He leans back. "Look, Hayes, I know what you're trying to do. You want me to give you specific incidents that you can use to show the culture is still broken. But I'm not going to throw my team under the bus to satisfy your narrative."
"My narrative is the truth. If your culture has changed, show me. Give me something concrete instead of just claiming you've made improvements."
"Fine. Last month, two freshmen reported feeling uncomfortable with how some seniors were talking to them. I immediately held a team meeting, addressed itdirectly, and the behavior stopped. No hazing, no retaliation, no cover-up. Just leadership."
"And if I talk to those freshmen?" I know I might be pushing this subject with him, but it’s my job too.
"You won't. Because I'm not giving you their names. They trusted me to handle it discreetly, and I'm not violating that trust for your article."
Frustrating. But also... principled. Which I wasn't expecting.
"Alright. Different question. Your father played in the NHL. Is that pressure or inspiration?"
Something flickers across his face. "Both."
"Elaborate." I push for more.
"He set high standards. I'm trying to meet them while also being different from him. Better, in some ways." There is a slight change in his voice. Have I found the trigger for him?
"What ways?"
"That's personal."
"This is an interview. Personal is the point." I quickly point out, and the way he looks at me, I know it was the wrong thing to say.
"There's personal and there's private. My relationship with my father is private."
I sit back, reassessing. He's giving me nothing useful. Every answer is either deflection or refusal. It's like trying to interview a wall.
"This isn't going to work if you won't actually answer questions."
"I am answering questions. Just not the way you want me to." He turns to face me fully. "You want me to hand you ammunition. Admit to failures, expose problems, giveyou quotes you can use to prove your article was right. I'm not doing that."
"Because you're hiding something?"
"Because I'm protecting my team. There's a difference."
"Is there?" This time even my voice is low.
