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S25 SMJHL Draft Declaration Press Conference - Printable Version

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- GemLife - 07-22-2015

Ready to Grade

Thank you for joining us today for this press conference in Conall's hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland. With the SMJHL's playoffs set to resume tonight, and two teams already looking into the off-season, we felt it was the perfect time to make an announcement. Please direct your question to Conall and/or his coach for the Edinburgh Capitals, Scott Neil.

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Conall Macleod: "Thanks everyone to coming to such an important event for myself. Without further delay, I'd like to state my intention of leaving the Edinburgh Capitals of the Scottish National League next season, and declare for the Season 25 SMJHL Draft.

I'm excited for whats ahead and the big step I'm about the take in my hockey career. I've loved every minute of my time here with the Capitals, but I feel it's best for my development if I move onto a Junior focused league and play against some of the best Junior players in the world. The SMJHL is heavily scouted by the SHL, and with new teams starting up in the SHL, there is no better time to get on the leagues radar. There have also been unconfirmed reports that the SMJHL is considering expansion as well, which makes this the best time to declare in 25 years.

I've brought my now, ex-coach Scot Neil with me today to answer any questions I cannot. He's very supportive of this transition and has been a major influence on my decision.

I'll now be opening up the floor to any questions you may have. "

Interview What type of player do you think the SMJHL is looking for at your position?

Conall: "That's a tough question to answer as I'm not a GM. Primarily I feel like the SMJHL is looking for good character above everything else. Going back in the SMJHL history, you can see that every team has turned a nothing into a something. They took someone with limited skills, and turned that player into a star at the next level.

In order to do that, you need to have some character. Whether it's commitment, drive, work ethic, leadership, etc. I feel most GM's start here.

In terms of the prototypical left winger, I think you need to be able to put the puck in the net. Scoring is a major asset to have, followed closely by skating. The ability to move your feet and generate plays from the wall or the breakout is a skill you see in all the great Left Wingers. "

Interview First impression of the SHL as a whole?

Conall: "I haven't been to any of the cities, or arenas in the league, or even met any hardcore fans yet, but from what I can tell, its a league on the rise.

With two new teams coming into the league, the economics have to be there, which in turns, makes the players happy by filling their bank accounts. Fans generally are really positive about the league and that's good to see.

In terms of player development, which is something I look at alot, the SHL is a top class league that has some of the best players in the world playing in it. I'd be lucky if my career ended up there."

Interview What part of your game do you want to become better at the most?

Conall: "Short answer, everything. I feel like every aspect of my game needs to improve to get to that next level.

Nothing that I have today in my toolbelt can make it in the SHL. I have a couple things close, but that's it. Primarily I want to improve my puck handling and hands first. I want to develop into a winger that can carry the puck through the neutral zone or manage it in traffic around the net. After that, defense and skating something I'm also working on. Being smart, and fast in my zone leads to offensive chances where I feel I can really shine."

Interview What is the strongest aspect of your game?

Conall: "Great follow-up question. I touched on it a bit in my last answer, but I feel my natural scoring ability is something I take pride in. My shot and accuracy are good yes, but I find that I'm able to score a goal when it matters and it ways I've never thought possible.

On top of that, my skating and stride have always been something I've been the best at, even from a young age. My coach, Scott, found a way to use it and it ended up making the season for me. I think a SMJHL team can do that as well."

Interview Are you interested in any SMJHL teams specifically?

Conall: "I haven't been approached by any teams, so it's tough to tell. Right now I'm just excited to get into the league. After playoffs are done and the rankings and mock start to come in, I'll get a better idea of where I'll be taken in the draft.

Probably around that time I'll start to make a top team list, or find that ideal team that wants me just as much as I want them. But like I said, I'm just happy to go anywhere."

Interview Do you believe you possess leadership qualities? If so, why?

Conall: "I think I do. Playing with men the past two seasons has really opened my eyes to not only how the world works, but what to do and not to do when it comes to the locker room.

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I feel I can take that natural and learned leadership and apply it to my next teams locker room. Even though I'll be a rookie again, I don't see it that way and will probably be trying to help out other rookies just as much as others try to help me out."

Interview What is your favorite food?

Conall: "Haggis, without a doubt. Coming from a very traditional Scottish family, Haggis was always something we ate weekly. I dare to say my mother has the best recipe south of the Highlands."

Interview On a scale of 1-10, how excited would you be to join the legendary Vancouver Whalers organization?

Conall:" Haha. Like stated earlier, I'm happy to join any team right now. I'm excited to contuine my growth and pursue my hockey career, so if Vancouver is the right fit, why not?

So, to answer you question, 10, but that's going out to all teams as well."

Interview What is your favorite thing about each SMJHL team that you have seen so far?

Conall: "Wow, thats a tough one. I barely know anything about any team thus far. I just know about the SMJHL in general as a league. Once draft time gets closer, I'll probably start to see teams in more of an individual light.

I'll have too get back to you on this next year, as going through a full season will really open me up to the cities and teams."

Interview What makes you unique?

Conall: "Well, considering I've played pro for the past two seasons and I'm declaring for a Junior draft so that I may be picked up by a pro team in a couple years, I feel like that makes me unique already.

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On a more personal side of things, I feel like I've been there and done that already. I don't have to prove my game to anyone, and I'm completely confident in who I am, and what I'm about. That's also maybe a unique thing coming from a Junior draftee."

Interview What should make teams want to draft you?

Conall: " I want a team to draft me not because they see me as a fit to their roster and locker, but because they see me as a player that their lineup and locker room need. Having a team that wants you, just as much as you want them is a recipe for success."

Interview Do you think you're ready to play in the SMJHL?

Conall: " I do. Playing with men these past two seasons has really opened my eyes to the strategic part of the game. Two years ago i would have been flying around the ice a million miles an hour shooting every puck I get, while leaving my teammates out to dry doing so. But now, I'm smarter. I can see the game in a different way then most. I know where to go and what to do to help me and my teammates win a game.

Hockey is a team game, and as much a I want individual success, the team success comes first, which in turn will help me."

Interview Where do you project yourself going in the draft? Why?

Conall: "Tough to say. I'm one of the first to declare, and the playoffs aren't even over yet. 4 out of the 6 teams still has their eye on the Four Star Cup, not a draftee. When the time comes, I'll be able to tell you.

For now all I can say is that I want to be taken high. Not for an ego thing, or for the money, but because of what I said about earlier. I want a team that wants me as much as I want them."

Interview What would you say is your greatest strength out on the ice?

Conall:" I might have covered this question earlier in the conference but I believe my biggest strength on the ice is my ability to score goals. I can score in many different ways and often find myself scoring in ways I didn't think I could. Expanding on that, my skating is also a big strength and is something I take pride in."

Interview To counter that, what is your greatest weakness?

Conall: "Right now, my checking and aggressiveness isn't where it should be in order to play on bottom six lines, if need be. I can hit, sure, but I've always found a way to use my skating and body position as a bigger asset then using my body as a battering ram. On top of that, Penalty shots is an area I struggled in the past two seasons."

Interview Could you see yourself going first overall in the SMJHL draft?

Conall: "Like previously stated, I could see it, and quite honestly I hope for it as it would be a dream come true. However right now, it's too early to tell since the draft class is just starting to take shape."

Interview Are you just here so you won't get fined?

Conall: "Fined by who?"

Interview Any favorite SHL teams yet?

Conall: " Not really, no. I'm curious to see what Portland goes with for a team name and logo and how it's rivalry with Seattle might play out. Buffalo has a sharp looking new team.

Other then that, I haven't followed any other team real closely. Just like the SMJHL, I know about the SHL in general. Once my career hopefully takes me to the SHL, I'll know more about the teams."

Interview Once fully developed, what would be your NHL compariosn?

Conall:"Hmm... I'm not sure. I don't know what I'm going to be like fully developed. I have no idea. Comparing it to the SHL and SMJHL, maybe I'll end up a Jesster? Maybe Wind? Sterling Knight? Bojo Biscuit? No idea. Guess we'll have to wait to find out."

Conall:"Well if that's all the questions thanks everyone for coming. It means alot to have so my interest in my career and I look forward to talking with you all very soon. See you at the draft."

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- fgh - 07-22-2015

What type of player do you think the SMJHL is looking for at your position?

First impression of the SHL as a whole?

What part of your game do you want to become better at the most?

- Nereus - 07-22-2015

What is the strongest aspect of your game?

Are you interested in any SMJHL teams specifically?

Do you believe you possess leadership qualities? If so, why?

- Hoovuh - 07-22-2015

What is your favorite food?

On a scale of 1-10, how excited would you be to join the legendary Vancouver Whalers organization?

What is your favorite thing about each SMJHL team that you have seen so far?

- Eggy216 - 07-22-2015

What makes you unique?

What should make teams want to draft you?

Do you think you're ready to play in the SMJHL?

Where do you project yourself going in the draft? Why?

- GemLife - 07-22-2015

All questions to this point answered. Thanks everyone that has contributed something.

Keep the questions coming, and ask any follow up questions to those already involved.

- GemLife - 07-22-2015

Bump, still looking for some more questions

- carousel182 - 07-22-2015

What would you say is your greatest strength out on the ice?

To counter that, what is your greatest weakness?

Could you see yourself going first overall in the SMJHL draft?

- GemLife - 07-22-2015

Quote:Originally posted by carousel182@Jul 22 2015, 05:17 PM
What would you say is your greatest strength out on the ice?

To counter that, what is your greatest weakness?

Could you see yourself going first overall in the SMJHL draft?

Answered, thanks for the questions. Cheers

Looking for a few more questions tonight and that's it. Alot of subjects and questions haven't been asked so there's still a couple hardball questions to ask

- GemLife - 07-22-2015

Given out rep for each person that submitted questions.

So you know, ask questions, get rep.. Wink

- Winter is Coming - 07-22-2015

Are you just here so you won't get fined?

Any favorite SHL teams yet?

Once fully developed, what would be your NHL compariosn?

- vbottas17 - 07-22-2015

Great article, best of luck in your SMJHL and SHL career. I'm sure you'll be a highly sought-after prospect. Smile

- GemLife - 07-22-2015

Quote:Originally posted by Winter is Coming+Jul 22 2015, 07:02 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1' id='QUOTE-WRAP'><tr><td>QUOTE (Winter is Coming @ Jul 22 2015, 07:02 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Are you just here so you won't get fined?

Any favorite SHL teams yet?

Once fully developed, what would be your NHL compariosn?[/b]

Awful question, well mainly number one, but answered.

<!--QuoteBegin-vbottas17@Jul 22 2015, 07:20 PM
Great article, best of luck in your SMJHL and SHL career. I'm sure you'll be a highly sought-after prospect. Smile[/quote]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

- GemLife - 07-23-2015

Last bump for a set of questions before I shut 'er down and wrap the press conference article up.