Catching up with Robert Phelps - Printable Version +- Simulation Hockey League (https://simulationhockey.com) +-- Forum: League Media (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=610) +--- Forum: SMJHL Media (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=48) +---- Forum: Graded Articles (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=403) +---- Thread: Catching up with Robert Phelps (/showthread.php?tid=74432)

- DrunkenTeddy - 04-04-2017 Ready for Grading Word count: 1732 Double payout for submission prior to SMJHL draft. ------------------------------------------------------- Catching up with Robert Phelps I had the opportunity to speak with Robert Phelps a few weeks ago and I was surprised to find that his background was not what I had expected. Robert didn’t start playing hockey until long after most of the high draft picks that we see; he also was a ball hockey player first. He seems to have taken a very unusual path from then to now. The last few weeks we have seen a lot of changes, amongst them have been the increasing talk about Phelps as a top 5 or even top 3 draft pick. I previously had Phelps as a long shot to be drafted in the 1st round, but this kid is putting in the effort and pulling out all the stops to impress GMs and Scouts. He is working with a conditioning coach, a skating coach, and a personal trainer. Phelps does not stop working hard and it impresses everyone who lays eyes on him. It’s not just his training that is going well either; he is absolutely saying all the right things to everyone who asks. He is humble and down to earth; it might be possible that we are looking at a future captain for whichever team drafts him. Phelps’ hard work has been noticed around the league and because of his hard work he has been featured as the #1 draft eligible player for the S34 SMJHL on a large number of the media’s draft rankings. After meeting Phelps and sitting down for a talk before, I wanted to get his thoughts on being ranked so highly. Reporter: Hi Robert, thanks again for joining us. “Thanks for having me.” Reporter: Since we last talked there have been a lot of writers, scouts, and GMs bringing up your name. People are now saying that you are going to be taken in the top 5 of the upcoming draft, some even say you’re going to be the first overall pick, what do you think of these rankings? “I am blown away. I had a feeling I was wanted in this league coming into it, but after declaring my eligibility, it’s been non-stop phone calls and interviews. I had no idea that I was wanted by this many teams. Last time we spoke I was just happy to be included in the draft and was hoping not to go undrafted.” Reporter: I don’t think that’s even remotely possible anymore. So, now that you have a better feel for the demand for your services, do you have any preferences on which team drafts you? “No, it doesn’t really change my original opinion. I want to be on a team that wants me. I am willing to fight tooth and nail for whoever that is. I don’t really see a benefit in prioritizing one team over another at this point; I just want to get to playing hockey.” Reporter: We’ve seen that you’re working with a number of trainers and coaches, can you tell us about that? “There are so many people involved in my daily routine now that it can be hard to keep track. I have a food consultant who plans out my meals to make sure I’m getting the right amount of protein, carbs, and stuff like that. I have a skating coach, Jacques, who used to be an Olympic speed skater, the stories he can tell are out of this world, though we often don’t get enough time to chat, or when we do I’m so tired I can barely talk. Then I have a conditioning coach and personal trainer, I’m trying to be as lean as possible when I start my first season in the SMJHL, I want to get my speed up so I can keep up with the players who’ve already been in the league a year or two. I’ve also recently started working with a skills coach, who has been helping me work on face offs and set plays. This all sounds like a lot of work, but I’ve grown to love this kind of work, training has become a part of me and I never want to stop pushing.” Reporter: You say you’re working with a skills coach, what skills specifically are you trying to improve? “It’s really a big range, I’m trying to become a better all-around player, and I want to be able to help my team out in every aspect of the game. This week I’ve been working on puck skills, handling the puck, deking, that sort of thing.” Reporter: What has been your biggest surprise leading up to the SMJHL draft? “You mean aside from being highly ranked?” Reporter: [Laughter] Yes, aside from that. “Well I’d have to say it’s the friendships I’ve formed with the other eligible players. I already knew Angelo from before the draft, but there have been so many others that have really been helpful and great to talk with leading up to the draft, it’s an honor to be drafted alongside many of these great players and personalities.” Reporter: How many GMs have reached out to talk to you about the draft? “Almost all of them have talked to me, or I’ve talked to them. I’ve had longer conversations with a few, which makes me think they are more interested than the others, but you never know who is going to take you until the draft happens.” Reporter: There was a rumor that you were asking the team that drafts you to draft your former line mate Angelo Odjick, are those rumors true? “No, I happened to mention Angelo a few times in the past because we get along so well, but he’s going to land where he lands and I’ll land where I land. I actually assume that won’t be on the same team, but I wouldn’t complain if it was. If we aren’t on the same team though, I will be keeping my head up out there against him; I don’t think he’s going to ease up on a hit just because it’s me.” Reporter: Last we spoke you talked about getting into hockey but not a lot about the last couple seasons you played. In the last season with the Vancouver Vipers you became the team Captain, how did that come about? “I actually had no idea it was coming. At the start of my last season with the Vipers we all came in for our first game and the coach had hung each of our jerseys behind our stalls. I was always so excited to see my number 52 jersey hanging there. I sat down and started getting dressed for the game, the coach kept glancing over at me while I was putting on my gear. I kept double checking to make sure I hadn’t put something on wrong. When I grabbed my jersey to put it on I bunched it up and pulled it down over my head, then looked down and saw the C on the front. I thought I had put on the wrong jersey, I looked at the sleeve and it was my number, so I looked up at the coach and as I did he asked for everyone’s attention. Then he announced that I would be the Captain of the Vipers. It was such a privilege leading that team for the whole season; I’m going to miss playing with most of those guys.” Reporter: Is there significance to the number 52 that you wear? “There’s a bit of one, my dad is really into card games, any chance he gets he is playing something with cards, poker, blackjack, crazy 8’s, war, etc.. Any card game you can think of my dad loves. When I was young from time to time my dad would joke around and fire a deck of cards everywhere and yell ’52 Card Pickup!’ My brother and I always got a kick out of it as little kids and I guess the 52 just stuck with me when it came time to choose a number.” Reporter: How would you describe yourself as a captain? “I’ve always just thought of myself as a guy who works hard and cares about his team mates, that didn’t really change as I became the captain of my team. I think what I was doing before I was captain works for me just the same, I just work as hard as I can and hope others will do the same. As the captain I found more team mates looking at me for direction or guidance, but I was the same guy as before, if someone asked me a question or opinion on something, I would help them to the best of my ability. On the ice I was always very vocal, I would help my team mates with positioning tips, skating suggestions, or anything else where I felt I could help.” Reporter: How nervous are you for the draft on Thursday night? “I don’t think I’m really nervous, I am more anxious. I’d like it to be done so that I can focus on training with my new team and meeting my team mates. I try my best not to think or worry about it, if I can’t control it, there’s no point worrying.” Reporter: How many seasons do you think you’ll play in the SMJHL? “I’ve given this a fair bit of thought lately and I would be comfortable with spending about 3 seasons in the SMJHL, maybe 4 depending on the needs of my teams. If I can make it to the SHL level, I want to come out of the gate flying and be ready for anything, I don’t want to sit on the bench or play 4th line minutes if I can avoid it, I want to be involved in every game. Reporter: Thanks again for joining us. “Thanks for having me.” -------------------------------- It was a pleasure interviewing Phelps for a second time. He is clearly excited about the draft and looking forward to training with a team; he tweeted about the draft earlier today. It’s great seeing new young players get so excited, it brings an energy with it that can be contagious. Hopefully the other rookies are just as energetic as Phelps has been. It will be nice to see the injection of youth and energy into all the locker rooms of the SMJHL. - QuantumCowboy - 04-04-2017 Great article, I'm sure Angelo would go easy on you if he wasn't on your team... but it certainly wouldn't stop him from checking you can stealing the puck!