Q & A with Liam Stewart of the Spokane Chiefs

Liam Stewart, 20, is in his fourth and final season with the Spokane Chiefs. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound center was born in London and resides in Hermosa Beach, California. He scored his 15th goal of the season last Saturday, surpassing the previous best of 14 he scored in 2011-12. The son of well-known model Rachel Hunter and rock and roll icon Rod Stewart, took some time to share his thoughts in a question-and-answer session. 

Q: What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve received from your Mom or Dad?

A: I think the best was from my Mom (Rachel Hunter). She always told me, “Stick with it, no matter what happens.” She kind of taught me how to have a strong mindset, I guess you could say. “Be mentally tough and you should be able to get through anything.”

Q: Do you think sports are ever overemphasized?

A: I don’t think so. Sports are something you love. You get together a lot. It’s something that you tailgate over it and do all that kind of stuff. It kind of brings people together, I guess you could say.

Q: Do you have a hero?

A: Someone I look up to, I guess you could say, is the guy my Mom dated, Jarret Stoll (currently with the Los Angeles Kings). I think he was the guy I kind of modeled my game after and really watched him a lot. I think he’s helped me along the way, too. He’s always kept in touch with me.

Q: What do you think is the biggest problem facing young people today?

A: Social media. I think even the guys are always on Twitter or something like that and I think there’s too much of it. I think we need to start getting outside a little more and enjoying each other instead of sitting there, across the room, texting each other.

Q: Do you think athletes should talk about controversial subjects?

A: No. That’s just a straight answer, no. Stick to your sport.

Q: If you were the King of the World for a day, what’s the first thing you would do?

A: I would take all my friends and family on vacation to a place like Fiji. I’d be a little selfish and go on vacation for like a month.

Q: What’s your idea of a perfect day?

A: Every day’s a perfect day, as long as you’re alive and healthy and you have your family and friends, that’s all that matters.

Q: Do you have one day that stands out more than any other?

A: (April 16, 2012) I think it was my first year here. Me, Tyler King and Connor Chartier were on a line and we were in overtime, and I think it was Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs (against Tri-City). And me, (King and Chartier) scored that overtime goal. It was one of those things I’ll remember the rest of my life. We were in the paper the next day, all three of us, hugging in the air. That was a pretty cool moment and I think all three of us will remember that.

Q: Are your thoughts about the future generally positive?

A: Yes, everything’s positive. As long as the family’s happy, as long as I’m happy, that’s all the matters. As long as I’m still playing hockey, it should be fine.