Welcome back to another edition of “Hit the Bench” with Reporter R, and I’m your host Reporter R! In today’s episode we are going to sit down with a former guest to the show, Kelowna Knights rookie center Cian McFelter. Cian is coming off of a great rookie season that turned enough heads in the British Isles management staff to have him recruited to the team for the upcoming tournament. The youngster scored 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points in his rookie campaign, earning him a nomination for rookie of the year. He will ultimately lose the award, as Vancouver goalie Jon St. Ark was a force in net and will certainly win it. Still, Cian looks ready to make a difference on an already skilled British Isles team.
 
Now, for the man of the hour, Mr. Cian McFelter!  
 
Reporter R: Cian, welcome back to the show!
Cian: Thanks for having me back, R! I love getting the chance to talk with you.
 
R: Not a problem at all, my boy. Now, tell me, you had a solid start to your career with the Knights this season. Do you think you can replicate that for the British Isles?
Cian: Well I’m certainly going to try my best! I think I had success this season from just plain old hard work and determination. The coaching staff and my teammates have a lot to do with it, as well, and the British Isles have a great group here. I know that they will challenge me to give my very best, and hopefully that will be good enough to produce a podium result.
 
R: Wow, a podium result! Do you think your team could accomplish that?
Cian: I believe we can, yes. We were the 2nd highest scoring team in the group stage last tournament. I see no reason why we can’t turn that type of production into wins and, if all goes well, a medal.
 
R: Well that’s quite the positive outlook! I must say, Cian, you look to be down on the depth chart. Do you think you can make an impact from where you are projected to play?
Cian: Yes, I do. Every player on the team is important, from the goalie to the 4th line center. I may not get the minutes as some of the top guys, but I can help out when I do hit the ice. I feel like I have a great opportunity to learn from some of the better players on this roster, like Patrick Shepherd or Matthew Forrester. Hopefully they can teach me a few things that I can take back to Kelowna!
 
R: Both Shepherd and Forrester are great role models to have! You are very fortunate to play with them, for sure. Let’s talk about the Quadruplets. The four of you play together in Kelowna, but each will on a different squad for this tournament. How do you feel about facing off against your closest teammates?
Cian: Oh man, it’s going to be weird at first. I’m so used to seeing Malik on my wing. But I’m sure I will develop some chemistry with my linemates here in no time. I just want to be able to score more than Malik and Huff so I can win bragging rights for the season. I already told Feltersnatch that I’m going to make him look like a fool more than once, so I’m really looking forward to that!
 
R: Going right after him, I see! Love that friendly competition. Any side bets between you four?
Cian: No, not yet. But I’m sure once we get to the head to head matchups, we’ll put subs and pints on the line!
 
R: Now, you won’t be playing with the Quadruplets, but you will have four other Knights teammates with you in Peter Ramsay, Ruggs McOooh, Patrik Money, and Kynwyl Pearce. What does it mean to you to be playing more games with those lads?
Cian: It’s a great feeling, knowing some of the guys when you walk into a new locker room. Pearce and Money are rookies, like myself, so we are in on this together. Like I said before, I feel confident that we can make a positive impact to this team. After playing 50 games with these lads, it’s enough to get used to play styles and kind of know where they are on the ice in certain situations. It should help us all on and off the ice during this tournament.
 
R:  Is there anyone else that you know on this team that could ease the transition?
Cian: Yeah, I know Liam Slate (@Tylar) through some youth days. When my family had to relocate out of Ireland, we spent some time in Wales and I ran into him. We played together for 2 years, I think? Anyway, he’s a sad little winger, from what I remember. Needs a shot of optimism, if you know what I mean. He’s a great person and I love the guy to death. He just needs to believe in himself a little more!
 
R: I hear you there, Slate is a great guy! Maybe we could get him on the show some day? *R looks towards back stage and someone grabs a phone almost instantly* Fan’s of the show should look out for that in the near future! Last thing, Cian. When we last spoke, you mentioned that you couldn’t go back to Ireland due to some sort of misunderstanding with your father? Does that give you mixed emotions about representing your home country?
Cian: Yeah, well, my dad has a business of sorts. It’s a mess really, but the point is I’m not my father and I love my country. I hope to some day get back home, but for now I am just trying to do my best and make my family in Ireland proud. I know it would mean the moon to mum if we could pull of a big run and win a medal for our homeland.
 
R: That’s very touching, Cian. Well I wish you the very best in your upcoming games! Take care of yourself and good luck!
Cian: Thanks R. Always happy to join the show!
 
That’s Kelowna Knights Center Cian McFelter! You can catch him in action with the British Isles team in the upcoming World Junior Championships! Stay on the lookout for our next sit down, as we hope to get together with Robert Feltersnatch (@Roamus) to discuss his rookie season and where he will be playing in the upcoming WJC tournament. Until next time, I’m reporter R and this has been "Hit the Bench". Be good to each other!


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