Michel Riesen: It's really hard to explain. I really don't know myself. Sometimes you play very hard but it is just hard to score. Sometimes when you don't score you don't know why either. I just try to work really hard every game and I am just lucky I guess. I really can't explain it.

AlwaysAmerk: I heard an in an interview you did with your Todd Crocker while I listened on the internet that you do not regret coming over at a young age from Switz. Do you think that the pressure from the Swiss media has been tough on you to make the NHL? And do you think you would have left as early?

Michel Riesen: The media had nothing to do with my decision to come over. And I know that the expectat5ions back home were really high. I think that some people though I would make the NHL right away. But O try to play for myself. I want to make the NHL for myself and not for the media.

Anonymous : Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Michel Riesen:After the pre-game skate I usually have lunch -chicken and pasta. Then I usually sleep as long as I can -- sometimes it's an hour or three hours. Then I go to the rink and I get my equipment ready for the game. Nothing reall special.

Ryan Chiasson: Who was your hockey hero as a child?

Michel Riesen: Well when I was really little it was Wayne Gretzky like everyone else. Then I remember when Teemu Selanne broke into the league and set the record -- I was around 13 or 14 and I was a big fan. I really liked the Europeans. I just looked up to them because they came over and made it in the NHL and that is what I would like to do.

Shannon: Who motivated you to be a hockey player?

Michael Riesen: That's very nice. Nobody really had to motivate me because my dad was a hockey player and I was always around the rink. I began to play when I was four and I had a lot of support from my mom.

Kelly: Congratulations on yourself playing so well and good luck to you and your team in the post season. If you play the amerks I would really enjoy it because both you teams as even last night always hadve close, harfaught, rough battles. Do you consider the Amerks a difficult team to play especiaaly at the BCA.

Michael Riesen: It's really difficult to play in Rochester. Rochester always plays really good at home and they do not give us many chances to score. They are a good team -- in my three years they have always been at the top of the league and it is always tough to play against the good teams.

rob beck: How was your experience up in Edmonton this year?

Michael Riesen: It was really exciting because that was the main reason I came over here. And when I fianlly played it was exciting. It was neat to play against players that growing up you always looked up to. It was alot of fun.

Kelly: What does your team have to do to get into the playoffs?

Michael Riesen: We pretty much have to win alot of games and hope that Portland does Portland does poorly. We have five games left so it will be pretty tough to qualify. We have to take it pretty much game-by-game and try and win them all.

Jayne Gratezky: Just wondering what you're impressions where of your first shot with the Oilers? Any tips from some of the veterans on how to improve your game and obtain a level of consistency?

Michael Riesen: You talk a lot to the older guys for sure. Most of all because I did not score and I was a little upset. Guys were trying to tell me to be patient and help me that way.

Vanessa in Hamilton: Michel, I have enjoyed watching you play the past three seasons in Hamilton. Any idea of what the future holds, in regards to next season? All the best!!

Michael Riesen: well I got another year left in my contract so I will be going to training camp and make the big club. Hopefully I will make the big team and if not I will likely be back in Hamilton. Hopefulyy I will make it. I am going to give it my best shot.

Michael Riesen: I would really like to thank alot of the people that I played with. I would also like to thank my coaches. I would also really like to thank my mom she helped me alot. I would also like to thank the fans for their support -- all the letters and e-mails that I recieved -- I really appreciate it. Thanks for the support.

Moderator: SLAM! Sports would like to thank Michel for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk with us. We wish him the best of luck over the rest of the season and the rest of his career.

Moderator: Please keep watching theAHL.com for the next chat involving your favorite AHL players.