Greg Mauldin, 29
Lake Erie Monsters forward
The perfect date: Go out to dinner, maybe get some drinks before or after, depending on what she wanted to do. Possibly finish with a good movie. Maybe a show or whatever interests she has or I have that we could do.
Something most people don't know about me: I did gymnastics when I was a kid, from about 5 to 7. ... For the past five summers I've been doing it again. I think it helps keep me more like a kid because as you get older, people just kind of grow stale. I like the rings, just cause they're pretty tough.
My passion: I really enjoy astronomy, I just like learning about it because when you really get into the depths of it we really aren't that big. I have a passion for soccer. I like coaching, I think helping kids out is pretty cool.
Biggest turn-on: Someone who is athletic. I'm pretty athletic, and that's a huge turn-on for me. Someone who is well-spoken and funny.
Biggest turnoff: Someone who is lazy is a pretty big turnoff for me. I don't like rude people. It's that fine line where people should be able to say what they think but have to know when to bite their tongue and not be rude. I hate smokers; it's disgusting.
I own too many: Books. One night at my house back home, there were too many books and my bookshelf fell over.
My favorite ... place in Cleveland: I enjoy hanging out in Crocker Park. I just like being around there and just soaking it in, especially when there's a lot of people. ... book: The Ballad of the Whiskey Robber. It's a true story about this Hungarian goalie, and he talks about the history of Hungary and everything they went through. He had to do what he had to do to make money, so he started robbing banks. ... sports team: I grew up in Boston so I'm a huge Patriots fan. I always liked the Bruins growing up. ... TV show: Ancient Aliens, Family Guy. I like a lot of shows on the History and Discovery channels. ... vacation destination: I'd love to go to Bora Bora. As a kid I spent a lot of time in the summers in Nantucket. I really like that as just a place to get away. ... dessert: I like cheesecake, but it has to be the kind from Barnes & Noble.
My usual hangout: Walking around Crocker Park, or whatever the other guys want to do, catch a movie or something. Go to Barnes & Noble or the Apple store.
In high school I was ... My earliest days in high school were kind of weird because I was the younger kid on the varsity hockey team. I was pretty quiet, but I was always known as the athletic one.
And now I am ... I haven't really changed much. I'm not really a huge party guy, but I do have my moments. I pick my spots. Especially in-season, we only get one day off a week, so you want to make sure you enjoy that day off.
My best feature: Personality-wise, a lot of my friends say I'm good at imitating anything anyone does physically. Best physical feature, eyes or smile, I guess. But it has to be a natural smile, a "hey" smile is all awkward.
My bad habit: I will put working out or hockey before almost anything else. That sometimes can be a flaw, or something people admire. I enjoy what I do, and I take it very seriously.
My first kiss: In middle school, it was a girl who lived down the street from me. It was her birthday and I actually remember somehow all my friends found out and they picked me up and brought me over to her and her friends picked her up and brought her over, and everyone was around. As we were kissing a teacher walked by ... it was very, very awkward.
My guilty pleasure: I think I'm a fat kid at heart. I eat a lot, and I love my cheesecake. I'd say cheesecake is my guilty pleasure.
How my ex would describe me: I think she'd describe me as a nice, thoughtful guy that's very committed to my "job" and has a side where I really enjoy my own space sometimes.
Going out or staying in: I enjoy staying in, but I'll go out with the guys and have a few drinks, but I am not by any means the center of attention. If I have a few drinks, I'll rip up the dance floor a little bit.
Early, late, or right on time: I'm usually a bit early. I hate being late. Being late just shows a little disrespect.
Dogs or cats: I'm more of a reptile person myself, I had snakes when I was younger. It'd be easier for me to have a cat, but I do like dogs though.
Dancing ... yes or no? It depends what kind of mood I'm in. A lot of us go to the Barley House on our days off. Sometimes you get all the guys there and next thing you know there's a dance-off going on.
Twitter ... yes or no? Yes, I think it's very informative if you follow the right people, like news and ESPN and NASA. It's also a good way to reconnect with people.
My longest relationship: About six months.
Beer, wine or martinis: Wine, only because it goes with meals better. It's a really good way to unwind.
Roses or chocolate: I'm more likely to give flowers. I wouldn't say roses because I feel like roses have been done to death. And if I was going do it, I wouldn't do it on a special occasion. I'd do it at random as a nice gesture like "Hey, I'm thinking about you."
My No. 1 dating rule: Just talk. There's nothing worse than awkward silence. Be open, don't talk about your ex unless the person asks. I'd want you to learn about me, not me the hockey player. I wouldn't want them to start asking questions about hockey or my profession a lot. It can be a turn-off because it's like do they like me for me or for what I do?
My deal-breaker: Being too clingy, or not respecting the boundaries of me having my free time. To me, especially with technology, I don't feel the need to talk to someone on the phone every day. There's nothing wrong with a quick phone call, but you don't have to have a drawn-on hourlong conversation every night.
I hate when a date ... is on their phone. At that point, if they're on the phone, I guess they're really not interested in me and I clam up.
But I love when a date ... is herself. Being open about things. If you have chemistry, you have chemistry. If we're both having a good time and laughing, that's something that can make a great date.
Worst pickup line: Any pickup line.
If I could date anyone: Jordana Brewster, Gabrielle Union, and there are a lot of female athletes I find attractive.
On a first date I never ... I'd never order for someone.
Best place to meet someone: People say they don't want to meet anyone at a bar, but that's where people are. Sporting events, concerts ... we do charity events, and you can meet people there.
Most unusual place I've met someone: At a hospital. When I was in Colorado, we had to do a player appearance, and she worked at the hospital.
My take on Cleveland's single scene: I think it's pretty good. I like that it's a very sporty town since I like athletic girls, and it's more of who I am.
What I find sexy about myself: My natural smile. I don't know if I'd say it's sexy, but it seems to be what attracts people to me.
Why I think I'm single: I think a lot of it has to do with how building a relationship can be kind of tough if you lose momentum. Like if we meet and then I get called up to Colorado, or if I meet someone in, say, March, and then there's playoffs and after playoffs I go home to Boston.
