Tuesday @ The Rink

CHAT LIVE With Michigan Defenseman Mark Mitera

Welcome to the CSTV.com moderated chat room!

On Tuesday, February 5 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Michigan defenseman Mark Mitera pays a visit to "Tuesday @ The Rink", presented by CSTV.com and USCHO.com. The No. 2 Wolverines visit No. 1 Miami for a pair of games this weekend, including Friday's LIVE telecast on CSTV at 8 p.m. ET.



Billy Sauer


Mark Mitera hasn't posted huge numbers in his junior season at the University of Michigan, but he's a key member of the Wolverines' defensive corps with a major role in Michigan's surprising campaign.

The native of Livonia, Mich., has a goal and five assists this season, but leads the Wolverines in plus/minus with a +20 rating for the season, the same figure he posted to lead the CCHA in 2006-07. He's also a two-time receipient of the UM Athletic Academic Achievement Award.

Mitera is enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, majoring in biophysics. He was a first-round pick (19th overall) of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft

** GET YOUR QUESTIONS IN NOW!!: Chad won't be stopping by until 1:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, February 5, and his time will be limited, so feel free to submit your questions now and we'll save them for his arrival!
CSTV.com Moderator: Good afternoon, and welcome to CSTV.com's "Tuesday @ the Rink" chat. We'll be joined shortly by Michigan defenseman Mark Mitera. Please bear with us - he just got out of class!
CSTV.com Moderator: We should be joined by Mark momentarily. Please stand by.
CSTV.com Moderator: OK, folks...we had a technical issue on top of a tight schedule, but we have Mark with us now...
Mark Mitera: Hey this is Mark Mitera, sorry we had some computer problems.
Beef (Columbus): How's the loss of Quick going to affect you guys? The roster shows only 7 Defensemen now... is someone dropping back or are you guys now stuck playing a 6 man rotation?
Mark Mitera: I think that we will be fine with 7 D, and we need to work hard this week in practice to play better as a team for this weekend.
brad (ann arbor: Miami seems like a pretty solid team. what is it that you guys could key on that would really give them problems on trying to win those games
Mark Mitera: We need to limit our goals against this weekend and make our chances count if we want to have some success.
Oxford: How is the team morale after tying 3 games in a row for the first time in school history?
Mark Mitera: We are in a bit of a rut right now, but I think we will play with more desperation this weekend.
Graham (St. Louis, MO): How do you think the return of Nate Davis for Miami will impact the weekend series?
Mark Mitera: He's only one player, so I don't know how big of an impact he'll be. I'm more worried about how our team plays than how one of their players performs this weekend.
Jeff (Oxford): Are you at all excited to see the new Goggin Ice center for the first time?
Mark Mitera: Sure, It will be packed and have a good atmosphere.
Katy (Cinci): How do the fans affect your play? When you're on the ice do you hear things like the chants or tune them out?
Mark Mitera: I tune them out. When I'm playing hard, I don't really hear any of the outside noise from the fans.
Graham (St. Louis, MO): Mark, how do you feel about fans of WCHA teams and their constant complaining about CCHA teams (mainly Miami and Michigan) being ranked higher? Do you think the CCHA is truly an equal conference?
Mark Mitera: Sure, I think both conferences are pretty equal, If you look at how we have done against the WCHA this year, I don't see much of an argument on why we and Miami are ranked higher.
Mark Mitera: That's what the tournament is for at the end of the year.
CSTV.com Moderator: Sorry, folks, but that's all the time we have with Mark this afternoon. He has practice.
Mark Mitera: Thanks and Go Blue.
CSTV.com Moderator: That will do it for this week's "Tuesday @ the Rink," presented by CSTV.com and USCHO. Remember that you can see Mark and the No. 2 Wolverines as they visit No. 1 Miami on Friday, LIVE on CSTV at 8 p.m. ET, and more CCHA action on Saturday, as Nebraska-Omaha welcomes in Ohio State, also at 8 p.m. ET. Also, keep checking back for more info on next week's guests. Thanks, and have a great week!