Warren Foegele: ‘We’re here to win, and that’s my focus.’

Hurricanes forward Warren Foegele was a key performer in last year’s playoff run, with five goals and nine points in 15 games. He also found a way to get under opponents’ skin, and will look to do so again this time around.

Foegele spoke with the media via Zoom Wednesday about the Canes’ upcoming qualifier series.

On Andrei Svechnikov winning the Steve Chiasson Award: He’s just a guy that comes to the rink every day with the right mindset. He just wants to get better every day. I think you respect someone who is willing to put in that much effort. Even after games, he’s here shooting pucks. He’s just trying to get better. Having someone like that, it pushes you. You’re pushing your teammates to work as hard as someone like him.

On playing without fans: I’ve actually had the experience my first year in the AHL. There was like an inch of snow in Charlotte and the city kind of shut down. No fans were allowed to come to our game. I think we were playing Bridgeport. So I’ve kind of had that experience. It’s a little weird for the first minute, but once the minute goes away it’s a hockey game. Music’s still playing. When you score, the buzzer and the tunes are going. I’ve done it before; I don’t think it will be that big of an adjustment, to be honest.

On entertainment in the bubble: I’ll probably bring my PlayStation and play some video games, but I know I won’t be able to do that the whole time. You get sick of being stuck in your room. I heard that they have the BMO Field open, so hopefully we can play spike ball or throw a football, or even just go outside for a walk to get some fresh air. But I guess we’re still trying to figure that out. I’ll probably bring some cards. Maybe I’ll have to FaceTime [Svechnikov], and he can show me some tricks since we’re not allowed in each other’s room. But I’m still trying to figure that one out.

On the Rangers’ power play: They’ve got some elite players. It’s the best league in the world, and they got a player nominated for the Hart Trophy. They definitely have some threats, but we’ve just got to stick to our system and we’ve been practicing all week on special teams, and we’ve got to try to limit their high-danger scoring chances.

On getting under Washington’s skin last year and trying to be an agitator: You’re just trying to win. I think I’m a competitive guy and I just want to win. So you try to do whatever you can to help the team win. Maybe that might not be too friendly to the other team. But that doesn’t matter. We’re here to win, and that’s my focus.