Orange County Register, Anaheim, California
Written by: Peter Croslen

We are now two days post-draft and getting ready to head into the 51st season in the SMJHL and for our Outlaws, it looks like things are going to be interesting.

After a less than stellar draft this year, the Outlaws are putting a lot of interest into their first year development talent.  One of which, in particular, might be one of the oldest draftees in club history.  I had a chance after a morning skate to sit down with rookie goalie, Strom Chamberlain.

[P]: Welcome to California Strom, and thanks for taking a minute to sit down for an interview today.
[S]: No problem Peter, and thanks for the welcome.

[P]: So lets start right off.  How do you feel about being drafted 34th overall in this years draft?
[S]: Goaltending in the draft is hit or miss.  Most teams either need someone or they don't and our development is so much different than that of a winger or defenseman.  I came into the draft expecting to walk out an undrafted free agent so I was excited to hear that I was picked up by the Outlaws.

[P]: I know that Anaheim wasn't on your radar at the time and that you actually did a practice skate with the Knights just before the draft.  Were you in talks with anyone else?
[S]: Anaheim was one of those that hadn't reached out to me or my agent so I figured I wasn't even on their radar.  Aside from the Knights practice, my agent (Wayne Matthews) and I also talked with the Raptors, the Armada, the Kraken and the Whalers.  We were supposed to get a practice skate in with the Kraken I believe but that fell through before the draft.  I pretty much figured going in that being older than the other potential players, and a bit on the bigger side turned most of them away.   I'm still really thankful that the Anaheim front office took a chance on me.

[P]: Have you found out if you're going to have any playing time in the pre-season this year?
[S]: There have been talks of getting me some ice time, but we'll see what happens.  The team has a pretty good netminder right now, so we'll see.

[P]: Do you have any ambitions for your rookie season in the SMJHL?
[S]: I prefer to come into it with an open mind.  I mean, who wouldn't want to go win a championship in their rookie season or maybe even get rookie of the year?  Most individual awards go to skaters though, and that's fine.  I just really want to perform well and use the tools the team and the league provides to make myself better.

[P]: What's your favorite kind of gear?
[S]: Growing up I was always a Reebok kind of guy.  Its not as expensive as the other stuff you can get and it might be a little lower quality but it still gets the job done.  I'm from the midwest you know, and there everyone sort of makes due as they can.

[P]: Speaking of expense, how do you feel about that $5M payout you're getting from Anaheim?
[S]: I'm speechless really.  I figure that's one hell of a starting salary for a rookie, so I'm definitely going to bust my tail to earn every single cent of it.

[P]: The game of hockey is obviously what were here to talk about, but I'm sure the fans of the Outlaws wouldn't mind learning more about you as a person.  Care to answer some of those questions?
[S]: Shoot.

[P]: What's your favorite food?
[S]: (Chuckling) Oh its these type of questions eh?  Er, food.  It has to be pizza.  I mean, it covers most of the major food groups right?

[P]: Do you have any hobbies?
[S]: Movies.  I'm a sucker for a good movie.  I know its not really a "hobby", but I've watched a ton of movies in my time.

[P]: Oh?  What would be your favorite movie then?
[S]: Shawshank Redemption, no doubt.  It is just good, solid writing and the actors are choice!  Morgan Freeman plays his role to a T.

[P]: I know you need to get going so I just want to throw a couple more questions at you before you take off.  1) Picard or Kirk?  2) Are you on social media yet?
[S]: Picard definitely.  Kirk may have started the series, but Picard being a captain to the next level in Next Generation...and er....yes.  I have a twitter, but haven't gotten that blue checkmark yet.  Maybe after this season right?

Be sure to follow along with us here at the Orange County Register as we follow along with another season of the Anaheim Outlaws and their diverse roster.

Pizza and Shawshank? Are you now my best friend?

 


Sig credit: Ragnar, Carpy48, High Stick King


Ivan Lacksamus || RW || Detroit Falcons
Number: 14
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 200 lbs
Birthplace: Switzerland