This interview is fully copyrighted by Paul Laus and Eric A. Seiden and may not be reproduced or quoted in any form whatsoever without the express written permission of both parties.

A brief introduction: This interview was conducted via e-mail on 4-17 and 4-18-2006 after I contacted him and asked if he would mind putting up with some questions. He was very accommodating and I couldn't ask for a nicer subject to interview. Mr. Laus had final say over what did and did not appear. He may revoke said permission at any time, and he may request any changes he feels necessary. I respect Mr. Laus and will comply with all wishes he has with regard to this.

Paul Laus is one of the most beloved Panther players of all-time, showing up in 1993 and playing his last game in 2002. He racked up 530 games, 14 goals, 58 assists, 72 points, and 1702 penalty minutes during the regular season for the Panthers. If you add the playoffs that's another 30 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points, and 74 penalty minutes. He never played an NHL game for another team and was a loyal teammate and fierce competitor. He was great with the fans, liked by his fellow teammates, and a fantastic supporter of our local community.

The words that appear are entirely his own and are unedited except to clear up some minor typos and the like.

So when did you finally decided to pack up and leave Florida?
It was time to leave right after the lockout started. I came back to Ontario to coach in the upstart OSHL and saw a piece of property in my hometown that was perfect to build on.

Can we get a quick update on your family?
Three kids Lexie, Kylie, and Nick all are great and getting big. [Lexie and Kylie are his daughters and Nick is his son.]

What are you doing with your time?
My son is not in school yet, so he takes up a lot of my time.

What do you miss most about Florida?
The warm weather and our friends.

If you answered “the weather” is there anything else?
How nice people are on the highways and all those friendly people at the mall; notice a little sarcasm.

Any chance of you coming back here for a visit and saying ‘hi’ to some of your fans?
Sure, someday.

How’s that wrist doing?
My wrist is like a solid club. I will never be able to bend it and have learned to live with it.

Speaking of your wrist, what’s it really like to be in an NHL fight (before, during, and after)?
It's fun! Before it happens, you know going into a game who fights and who doesn’t. During, you are thinking don’t get hit and after you need the five minutes just to recuperate.

Do you play hockey at all for fun or have you really hung the skates up?
Not yet. A few people have asked. but not yet. I took my kids public skating and tried to build a rink in the back yard, but it only lasted three days before the warm weather came. It was a very mild winter, and I was a little disappointed because I wanted a big snowfall for my kids.

Are you involved in hockey in any way?
Not yet

Do you want to become involved in hockey and if so on what level/league?
Absolutely! I would like to either coach or do some broadcasting -- not sure which one.

Are you bitter about the way you were treated after your career with the Panthers ended?
Bitter is not the word, the word is disappointed. The thing I am bitter about is that this is the ten year anniversary of the Stanley Cup run and nothing has been said or done. It's like it had never happened, or they want to forget it that it ever happened. There was a great group of guys from players, to coaches, to management, to trainers, to fans. I am lost for words.

Were you ever asked back in any capacity (coach, ambassador, anything)?
Never. Rick Dudley tried but that was squashed. People ask me what happened. To be honest, I don’t know. All I was told was that I was not welcome at the arena. Why? Another "I don’t know." When you are told this, you really don’t care at that point. It's time to move on.

If you were asked back now, would you come or are things too good at home now?
I don’t know.

Do you ever talk to your team mates from the Glory Days of the Panthers?
It is really hard to keep up with players getting traded, retirings, moves, and change of phone numbers.

Who’s your favourite NHL team now?
Buffalo because they are so close to where we are now and Lindy Ruff is the coach.

Who’s getting to the finals this year (2005-2006)?
Buffalo, San Jose: they are my dark horses.

Which young star do you think shows the most promise?
Dion Phaneuf is great to watch

What do you think of the new rules?
Too many penalties. I miss the scrums -- get rid of the no fighting in the last five minutes or you are fined US$10,000 dollars rules. That is were you would get revenge!

Do you think the officials are doing a good job this year of enforcing the rules? (Better or worse than in previous years?)
Yes! No doubt they don’t miss too many penalties. I hope for the same thing in the playoffs.

If one of your kids wanted to be in the NHL would you encourage it or discourage it?
Yes, I will support them in whatever they do; plus, I know the good things and the very bad things that can happen in sports.

I heard you’re a huge Disney fan. Do you miss being able to easily pack the family up and go there for a few days?
We will make our once a year trip there but will just have to fly. It's the same time as the drive.

What’s your favourite ride there? What about the rest of your family?
Mine and my daughter Lexie is no question The Incredible Hulk [at Universal]. And my other daughter, Kylie's favourite will also be the Hulk, but she needs to grow 1 inch more. And Nick says Teacups.