Profile: Felipe Montegu (Chile, Player)

Name: Felipe Montegu

Age: 30
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
Residence: Belgium
Occupation: Architect
First International Game: 1999, Pan American Games
Main International Competitions: 3 Pan American Games, World Cup Qualifier, Pan American Cup

When did you start playing hockey, and why?
I stated at 9 years olds, changing from playing tennis, I wanted to follow my brother.

Who was the greatest influence on your hockey career, and why?
My brother who played and captained the team for several years, he has being an inspiration, a role model and a good friend.

What was the highlight of your hockey career?
Perhaps my first Pan American Games in Canada, and then in Rio winning Bronze at the Pan American Games.

And the lowest point?
I believe the last two years, not due to performance but the difficulty to motivate myself and play with great intensity as I used to.

Is there a team that you find especially hard to play against?
In the Americas, I would suggest that Canada is a hard team to play against; they seem to be in control at all times.

Who is the player you most admire?
Cristian Montegu, my brother, and Floris Everts.

What do you like most about hockey and what frustrates you the most?
Playing hockey forces you to face challenge every moment.  Playing at this level helps you develop mental toughness.  Sport creates perhaps the only environment where you have to deal and cope with extreme emotions allowing the possibilities to develop your expertise to the highest level.

If you could change one thing about hockey, what would it be?
Even if I score a great deal of goals on the penalty corners, I would change this set play.  Now penalty corners have became the only way teams are looking to score, making the game not as attractive to the viewers.

What do you get out of competing at this high level?
Testing myself as a person as an athlete

What do you do during tournaments to relax?
Listen to music, reading and be with my teammates which are my friends, feel the strong unity of our group.

What are your interests outside hockey, and what are your plans after you finish competing at this level?
My work in architecture.

What is one piece of advice you would give to young players?
To the Chilean players: to avoid thinking about the challenges we have in Chile, and to always play as if they were playing against the best team in the world every time they train or play a game.

If you had a chance to do anything you like, what would it be?
I would like to play again this tournament.