Charlie Coyle Interviewed On The Pipeline Show Last Saturday

As Charlie Coyle looks ahead to playing in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild next season, his focus remains  on the task at hand: winning a Memorial Cup.

"I think personally I'm pretty good at focusing at the path at hand and not worrying about that," said Coyle in an appearance on Edmonton's The Pipeline Show last Saturday. "When that time [playing in the NHL] comes it will be the time to focus on it but for now I'm just focused on my team, enjoying my time here and winning a Memorial Cup."

A Preview of Things To Come

The Saint John forward and Minnesota prospect was the third in the past month to join the show (following teammate Zack Phillips and Mario Lucia) after being named the Playoff MVP of the QMJHL en route to leading the Sea Dogs to the Presidents Cup. He had 34 points (15 G-19 A) in 17 games which were tied with teammate Stanislav Galiev for the most in the Q.

Coyle is the first American since Pat LaFontaine in 1982-1983 to receive that honor.

As far as the interview goes, it mainly focused on the Sea Dogs' road to the Memorial Cup and chance to repeat. However, the hosts poked at other topics and looked to get Charlie's perspective on the differences between playing college hockey and the CHL.

"Yeah [the NCAA and CHL] are two different leagues, they're both pretty good leagues. Every person has their own path and I think both paths can help you," Coyle, who left Boston University in December, said. "I think this is the path for me and why I took it. I think it's working out well for me so far."

He didn't have a reason for the difference between his stats and goals at BU and Saint John other than that "I feel like I'm getting a lot of chances here, I'm getting the puck a lot. I just try to take advantage of that." The 6'2" forward had 14 points in 16 games with the Terriers but only 3 goals compared to 32 in 40 games at Saint John.

More Winning With A Wild Twist*

One thing, meanwhile, that Coyle did discuss was the difference of Saint John coach Gerard Gallant compared to Boston University coach Jack Parker. Without mentioning Parker, Charlie went into full praise of his present coach and the development he's had on him.

"Gerard has been great. I really, really love playing under him and he really knows the game," said Coyle. "He really knows how to push us, when to give us a break after a long series or something like that. I think he really understands his players and I think everyone gets along with him too. It kind of goes both ways and we're fortunate to have a guy like him."

Of course, as good as Gallant may be, Coyle most likely would not be having a successful playoff run with Saint John if he didn't join fellow Minnesota Wild prospect and occasional linemate Zack Phillips.

"I'm lucky to be playing with (Phillips), he's a great player too. So I'm very fortunate to be doing that as well as a lot of other guys on the team but I'm probably closest with Zack. He's kind of the only guy I knew before I came here so I fit in perfectly with his help and it's great to have him on the team."

You can hear the interview from last Saturday here. It's a good listen and Charlie says the right things when asked some tough but fair questions by The Pipeline Show hosts.

As for Saint John, they open the Memorial Cup Saturday against the OHL champion London Knights. They will also face the WHL champion Edmonton Oil Kings Monday May 21 and hosts Shawinigan Wendesday May 23 in round-robin play. All games are at 6 p.m. CT.

Photo Credit: Charlie Coyle (@Charlie_Coyle), Charles-Oliver Roussel (@charles_roussel) via Twitter

*In mandatory "bringing it back to the Wild" news or just trying to pull a good Pierre McGuire impersonation, Roussel is the player Nashville drafted with the pick Minnesota traded for Marek Zidlicky.