01-17-2012, 03:40 AM
With rumors that the upcoming preseason will be starting very shortly, tensions have risen among players in the SHL. We have some exclusive footage with Rage winger Rachel Belmont who will give us some insight into her personal preparation thus far.
Thanks for the interview Rachel, our first question for you is how have you been preparing during the wait so far?
I've been keeping it simple as I can so far. We all knew the off-season would be a reasonable wait and I think for the most part I made the most of it. I've been getting in my training every single week since the junior playoffs ended last season to try and prepare as best I could for my first upcoming season.
![[Image: Montreal+Canadiens+v+Boston+Bruins+c55FakClAbzl.jpg]](http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Montreal+Canadiens+v+Boston+Bruins+c55FakClAbzl.jpg)
Belmont, practicing during the offseason
In general do you think you have done a good job preparing for this upcoming season?
I think I might be a little biased, but in general, yes I do. I have been working really hard for this and getting as much preparation in as I possibly could. The best part is that I'm not done yet, even if I'm not as ready as I'd like to be, I have a great passion to play hockey so if there's more I need to do to compete, I will certainly do it. I think honestly I have achieved a skill level that is more than sufficient in the required areas of my game, and hopefully that will be more than enough for the time being. If not, it will not take me too long to get up to speed in the other parts of my game. I like to think I'm a pretty complete and competitive player, the preseason should really enlighten me as to what areas I need to work on.
As you already know I'm sure, the Rage have not been pegged as one of the favorite teams going into the season. What do you have to comment on this situation.
Well I can't say that I blame some of these critics. One way or another, the Rage do have a lot of young players, and the truth is experience is preferred when picking favorites. But I think they are jumping to conclusions with the Rage. I think a lot of people are making a big mistake by discounting the Rage and their ability to compete this year. The Rage might have a lot of younger players, but from what I've seen from us so far in practice, I think we definitely have what it takes to compete at a high level and I think we will surprise some people this year with our play this year, even if its unexpected.
We have talked quite a lot about your team, but what about your own personal player ability do you think will let you compete this year?
Well as a player I am still lack the most important aspect of the game, experience, and I think that will cost me this year. However I do feel I have worked very hard in a number of areas. Pretty much all of my offensive abilities, I feel, are as good as they are going to get. And I also would say that I am a very well conditioned and athletic player, my endurance and skating are nearly as good as they will get as well. While I know for sure that I might not be the greatest looking rookie on paper, I am very confident in my personal ability and I think that I will make a very strong push for a calder trophy in this season.
![[Image: Michael+Cammalleri+Montreal+Canadiens+v+...FsHaYl.jpg]](http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Michael+Cammalleri+Montreal+Canadiens+v+Philadelphia+urLz_iFsHaYl.jpg)
Belmont competing in Rage practice during the offseason
We really are happy for the interview you've given u s Rachel, thank you
It was my pleasure!
Thanks for the interview Rachel, our first question for you is how have you been preparing during the wait so far?
I've been keeping it simple as I can so far. We all knew the off-season would be a reasonable wait and I think for the most part I made the most of it. I've been getting in my training every single week since the junior playoffs ended last season to try and prepare as best I could for my first upcoming season.
Belmont, practicing during the offseason
In general do you think you have done a good job preparing for this upcoming season?
I think I might be a little biased, but in general, yes I do. I have been working really hard for this and getting as much preparation in as I possibly could. The best part is that I'm not done yet, even if I'm not as ready as I'd like to be, I have a great passion to play hockey so if there's more I need to do to compete, I will certainly do it. I think honestly I have achieved a skill level that is more than sufficient in the required areas of my game, and hopefully that will be more than enough for the time being. If not, it will not take me too long to get up to speed in the other parts of my game. I like to think I'm a pretty complete and competitive player, the preseason should really enlighten me as to what areas I need to work on.
As you already know I'm sure, the Rage have not been pegged as one of the favorite teams going into the season. What do you have to comment on this situation.
Well I can't say that I blame some of these critics. One way or another, the Rage do have a lot of young players, and the truth is experience is preferred when picking favorites. But I think they are jumping to conclusions with the Rage. I think a lot of people are making a big mistake by discounting the Rage and their ability to compete this year. The Rage might have a lot of younger players, but from what I've seen from us so far in practice, I think we definitely have what it takes to compete at a high level and I think we will surprise some people this year with our play this year, even if its unexpected.
We have talked quite a lot about your team, but what about your own personal player ability do you think will let you compete this year?
Well as a player I am still lack the most important aspect of the game, experience, and I think that will cost me this year. However I do feel I have worked very hard in a number of areas. Pretty much all of my offensive abilities, I feel, are as good as they are going to get. And I also would say that I am a very well conditioned and athletic player, my endurance and skating are nearly as good as they will get as well. While I know for sure that I might not be the greatest looking rookie on paper, I am very confident in my personal ability and I think that I will make a very strong push for a calder trophy in this season.
Belmont competing in Rage practice during the offseason
We really are happy for the interview you've given u s Rachel, thank you
It was my pleasure!
