Talking sports with … South winger Skylar Gutierrez

Skylar Gutierrez is a 6-foot-2 sophomore right wing for the South Wolverines and Alaska Oilers 15AAA hockey teams. He owns 24-24—48 totals through 24 games for South.

Q. What have your brothers — former Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Moises and current ECHLer Justin — taught you about the sport of hockey?

A. They are huge in my development (and) they come to all my games. (They've taught me) to always be ready, expect the unexpected and — it's a rough game — so always be ready to get hit and take a hit.

Q. What are some memories you have of going to their games growing up?

A. I was (pretty) young, so I just messed around around the rink. I went to Justin's WHL games, and that was pretty fun because he was playing major juniors, so that was fun to watch.

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Q. What's your favorite move on a breakaway or in a shootout?

A. I like low blocker. I think it's a weakness for the goalies, it's a weird spot because their glove is not there.

Q. What are some of the major difference between playing club hockey and high school hockey?

A. In high school hockey, the guys are older and a little bit stronger. We don't get many fans at the comp games, but in high school, students come and I like the atmosphere.

Q. What makes a good hockey crowd?

A. Just the energy and feeding off of them if they're loud. It's always nice to have your friends there.

Q. What's your hockey nickname and how did it come about?

A. They call me "Gutz" because my last name is Gutierrez. My brothers kind of started it. It just came down to me. They were all called that too.

Q. What's something people don't know about you?

A. I have 10 siblings. I'm the youngest one. I have a twin sister, and me and her are the youngest.

It's fun, I like having a big family. You have a lot of older siblings that look out for you. We like to go the cabin as a family out at Little Beaver Lake.

Q. Do you plan to join a junior team in the future? What goes through your mind having to make big decisions like that at such a young age?

A. I'm hoping to play Division I hockey one day, so whatever I need to do to do that, I'll take the steps to get there. All my brothers (left the state), so that's prepared me too. I don't think it will be that hard (to make the decision), especially since I'm kind of older now.

Q. Is there a reason or story behind your jersey number, No. 10?

A. My brother Justin was No. 10 when he was a freshman.

Q. South had a great season, becoming the Cook Inlet Conference regular season champions. What do you attribute that success to?

A. We have good coaching and all the guys come to practice ready to work hard. We're all working for each other, we all want to win.

Q. What kind of music do you listen to when you're working out? Do you have a song you put on repeat?

A. I like Drake (and) White Iverson by Post Malone (on repeat).

This interview is part of a series of conversations with Alaska athletes and sports figures. Portions were edited for length or clarity.