Lightning: One fun guy who likes, ahem, his freedom

One fun guy who likes, ahem, his freedom

He admits to living life to the fullest. Lightning defenseman Brad Lukowich shares with us his takes on being traded on his wedding day, his upcoming baby, eating worms, no underwear, the Easter Bunny and Mr. Personality.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer

RM: You got traded on your wedding day?

BL: It wasn't a bad thing because it stopped me from being nervous about the wedding. The only thing that s----- was the night before I was out with my buddies and I didn't get in until like 3 a.m. and then I got the phone call at 9 a.m. I had to tell somebody, so I called (former teammate) Darryl Sydor and he woke everyone else and told the guys in the room.

RM: Ah . . . any thought of informing the bride (Cara)?

BL: There was no time, plus, I was not supposed to talk to her. So, Syd called one of the girls and the bridesmaids had a vote that my mom should tell her.

RM: So, your mom broke the news?

BL: Yeah, she bailed me out. She waited until she was walking out and getting into the limo. She asked her about being excited to join the family and start a new life. Mom was working it. Then she just dropped the Florida in there.

RM: But it's not like Cara was going to bail out on you.

BL: She was already in the wedding dress with the makeup on. No turning back.

RM: It could have been worse.

BL: Yeah, she could have been traded. I could have been looking down the end of the aisle and seen no one.

RM: Heard you're a budding band member.

BL: I dabbled a bit with the drums. The band that I helped out with has my drum kit so I went out and bought a guitar. The drums annoyed the hell out of my wife. That's the one thing about the guitar, I could play it at 4 in the morning. I can't play the drums at 4 in the morning. For some reason, my wife points out that, "It's 4!"

RM: So you've got one in the oven?

BL: Yeah. Cara's due on May 29. ... That's right around Stanley Cup finals. I could be getting two gifts.

RM: What's harder, dealing with a baby or stopping Brett Hull?

BL: I've been playing hockey all my life. I'm sure now it's a lot easier than dealing with a kid. But I don't think it'll be too hard for me, considering the way I was raised. My mom and dad taught me the right things.

RM: You ready to change diapers?

BL: Well, I became an uncle recently, and I think I'll be okay. I've seen guys with their faces split open and some pretty disgusting things. I think I'll be all right. I don't get too grossed out. I like to watch Fear Factor.

RM: But they push the limit.

BL: You know, my mom has seen me eat a worm.

RM: Did it have anything to do with tequila?

BL: I've done that one too. It's worse because it's chewy. But it's easier to forget.

RM: Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson fainted in the middle of his wife's delivery of their second child. You're going to be okay?

BL: I think I'm going to stay up on (top) end. I'm going to hang out up there. I've been close to fainting in some pretty weird situations, so if I stay up at that end I can talk the talk.

RM: Considering the whole egg thing, has someone not realized that it should be the Easter Chicken, not the Easter Bunny?

BL: My wife and I had this conversation the other day. My father-in-law said it's a magical rabbit, but I think that's pretty weak. You have to give me more. You try to go scientific on it and it doesn't work. The magic thing is too easy. I think the Easter Bunny is like Santa and has all the elves working for him.

RM: At the South Pole?

BL: That's right. He has an egg factory and he carries them around on Easter. You see, he's so fast he can get everywhere. He hangs out in Florida, which is nicely located for the whole world.

RM: But that bunny's got to be in great shape. At least Santa has reindeer and a (sleigh).

BL: That's why the Easter Bunny lives in Florida. He can work out 364 days.

RM: Brad, what's the deal with not wearing underwear?

BL: You know about that?

RM: I find out stuff . . .

BL: Well ... it's true. I don't like to be confined. I'm not good in closed areas.

RM: So, this is a 24-7 type deal?

BL: Yup. Pretty much. I have a couple pairs of jeans that have rips in specific locations that have a calling for it, so I have two pairs. If I go to a rock show, then I have a pair that I wear.

RM: What does Cara think about it?

BL: Less laundry.

RM: When did you start this?

BL: Probably at 15 or 16.

RM: Doesn't it get cold in Canada in the winter?

BL: I stayed inside.

RM: And on the ice?

BL: Let's say ... you've got to wear a cup.

RM: So you must love living in Florida?

BL: I was ahead of the game.

RM: If you could go back in time and be one person, who would it be and why?

BL: (Doors singer) Jim Morrison. He broke all the rules. He did what he wanted.

RM: I'm figuring you like to break rules.

BL: We're only here now. This is it. Do it. Have fun. There are so many people who live by "the rules." It doesn't necessarily have to be what the police say you have to do, or the president says you have to do. You can still be a good person by living on the edge and having fun. ... How many people have slept half their lives away?

RM: You live on the edge?

BL: When we won the Stanley Cup in 1999 (with Dallas) I was out at a rock concert with five other (teammates) and we didn't get in until 4 a.m. I'll keep it to myself who those teammates were because they were prominent players, but it didn't affect us. We had a day off in between. It's the stuff I like to do and it keeps me going.

RM: You worried about SARS?

BL: As an athlete, and fit, I think I should be okay. But I'm out there signing autographs for people and they're handing me a pen that might have been in their mouth. Then, I go home and pass it on. If we refuse, they may think we're being jerks. But, to be honest with you, it's a health issue. I don't know where that pen has been. It's an issue of health and we've talked about it in the locker room. The team in Ottawa is not allowed to sign because of the health situation. Where's the hockey card been?

RM: There's a new television reality show called Mr. Personality. Seen it?

BL: Yeah, the guys with the masks?

RM: If you all were single, who in your locker room would get cut the first day?

BL: I would say (Alex) Svitov, Ruslan Fedotenko and Nikita Alexeev because they don't speak any English. They have no chance.

RM: Who would win?

BL: I think I've got some game. I could hold my own in there. I'm a pretty fun guy. But I don't think I would win. Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Dan Boyle. Dan's got a real game. I call him the ladies man.

RM: But would you rather be strikingly good looking and poor or strikingly ugly and rich?

BL: I don't give a rat's butt about looks. I'll go on the rich side. I can make myself look pretty if I'm rich.

RM: How could Christopher Columbus discover the New World when there were people already living in it?

BL: Good point. Columbus discovered the new world ... for Spain. They need to add that phrase to the history books. So let's see, he discovered a populated area?

RM: What's the best Brad Lukowich bumper sticker that describes you?

BL: Live your life to the fullest, it's the last one you got.

RM: A quick game of movie word association. One movie title, one teammate. Phone Booth?

BL: Vinny Lecavalier. He's always on the phone.

RM: Anger Management.

BL: He'll kill me, but Andre Roy.

RM: Bulletproof Monk.

BL: Martin St. Louis.

RM: Holes.

BL: Dan Boyle. Think of it whichever way you want.