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Fife Gibbs End of Season Press Conference
#1

grade pls

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(3024 words not including questions)



The Vancouver Whalers are the Season 24 Four Star Cup champions after beating the Montreal Impact in 6 games. This is coming off a season where the Whalers were the worst team in the league, and only started playing well near the end of the regular season. This is also one season after the huge 'Mann Up' controversy, leading to a change in Whalers management.

Fife Gibbs usually keeps to himself but after winning the Four Star Cup in his second season (and first full season). He'd like to open up and answer any question fellow teammates, opposing players or management may have.

The Scotsman steps up to the podium.



Interview
Code:
What changed from regular season to playoffs to win three straight playoff rounds?

Well we got off to a bad start with the whole Kit being a no show as a GM, so JHS was kind of like a sitting duck. We never were really able to pick things up and things just kept snowballing down the hill. Even with Myers coming in as GM to help work on lines and to help JHS nothing seemed to help. It was a very discouraging regular season, even games that we did everything right we were still losing by multiple goals.

Then something just clicked I guess. Near the end of the season we started playing well; everyone started playing well. Things just started to mesh together as a group. Playoffs came around and we just took that late season momentum straight into the first series with the Prince George Firebirds. Very good series, but ultimately we came through. Next up we had the Knights which we figured would be a huge series. They smoked us last year in the conference finals sweeping us in 4 games. We all thought they would have put up more of a fight, but we continued our late season brilliance and beat them in 5 games.

The finals versus the Montreal Impact were more of the same story of our post season run. We had our stars like Bure and McZehrl step up big time, even getting hat tricks and had lots of secondary scoring from Durden, Allen, and Hoover. And of course we had Ballard clinch the cup for us in overtime!

Interview
Code:
Who do you consider the MVP of the Whalers this season?

I would definitely say VLAD McZehrl is our MVP this year. He and Bure pretty much scored the same amount of point in the regular season and post season, but it seemed like McZehrl just preformed at the right time more often. I had 5 points in the 6 games of the finals, but there were a few games where I struggled to produce. It always seemed like McZehrl was the one to take on that slack.

We all played well in the finals but it really seemed like he was carrying us at times. I mean Bure was great too, both of them each had a hat trick, but I feel like McZehrl was just a bit more spectacular. Allen had the most game winning goals at 3, but McZehrl had 2 game tying, and 2 game winning. It’s exciting watching him take control of a game and not let go.


Interview
Code:
Will I need to separate you and Wagner this season? He's still in his room upset about the loss.



I don’t think you’ll need to separate Wagner and I. I mean I’d be salty too, his team didn’t just get outplayed; I also outplayed him personally. He had only 2 assists in the finals and I had 2 goals and 3 assists. I wouldn't call myself an offensive defenseman either.

He’s a good guy though, a competitor, I think it would be good to keep us together, might motivate both us to keep pushing each other. I’d be lying if I said wouldn’t be concerned if I outplayed him in the SHL too (;. I think our games could complement each other though; I’m excited to have the opportunity to play with Wagner!





Interview
Code:
Where will you be playing next season?

As of now I don’t know for sure where I will be playing next season. It is still a bit up in the air. I’ve made huge progression as a player and feel that I’m very close to being good enough to crack West Kendall’s roster. Bojo has also expressed some interest in me playing for the Toonza next year. It’s a little dependent on if Bojo can get any more pieces for our team.

At this time though it seems as I will be back in Vancouver for one final season. I believe Uptuck is up in the SHL so if I left too the Whalers would be left scraping the barrel in terms of defenseman. I just won a cup here and I’d like to help out as much as I can since we’ve still got some great guys; Durden, Allen, Hoover, just to name a few. However, come playoff time I could always jump up to the SHL if need be. I will definitely be a much better player then.



Interview
Code:
If you had to pick one part of your game to improve, what would it be?

I really want to work on my skating over this off season. I do powerlifting in my free time when I’m not playing hockey, and I think I’m getting close to the point where my skating is definitely a weakness. I’m a firm believer of ‘you can never be too strong’ (unless I’m breaking stuff constantly. I’m one of the strongest guys in the league now, so now I want to be one of the best skaters.



Interview
Code:
What is your favourite memory of your SMJHL career?


My favourite memory is easily the S24 cup win we just had against the Montreal Impact. My agent John Falkirk won the Four Star Cup in his only junior season and I’ve won several cups and championships over in Britain before I came to North America.

Even though it’s not the SHL, it feels great to win the cup, I’m continuing a tradition of winning, and honestly couldn’t have won it with a better group of guys. Ballard, McZ, Lundy, Hoov, Allen, Durden, Uptuck, No Nerves, Bure, among others. And of course GMs JHS and Myers. We had a great group this year and it’s great to prove all the doubters and haters (where my sunglasses at) wrong.

It may have been warranted with the ‘Mann Up’ controversy we had last year and how we were good in the pre-season and shite in the regular season. It made the win so much better though, we really proved ourselves as a group that never gave up.



Interview
Code:
Do you have any pre-game rituals?


I have a few pre-game rituals. I always mediate for 30-45 minutes before a game, sometimes longer if it’s a real important one. I advocate being in the best shape physically, but also mentally. What’s the point of being in top physical form if your mental state is severely lacking? Meditating helps me really focus on games and tasks at hand. After meditating I will have an ice cold shower, sometimes I really hate it and think why the hell I’m doing this but it just pumps me up so much. Helps make me think I can do anything. To finish it off I have banana slices crushed onto buttered toast. 2 bananas, 4 tranches of bread.




Interview
Code:
What do you plan on improving on this off season?


Like I said to Windsor, I really want to get my skating up to par. I want to be in the best shape I can, it makes everything easier. I’m getting really strong now so I need to improve my skating as its lacking. Along with my skating I also need to work on my fundamentals a lot. I did okay during the regular season; I only finished -2 I think when we were -34 as a team, but I found in the playoffs we got scored on quite a bit when I was on the ice. It’s understandable since I’m facing the top forwards of opposing teams, but as I get closer to sniffing the SHL I don’t want my defensive game to be a liability. Especially since I view myself as a physically strong defensive defenseman.


Interview
Code:
Goals for next season?

My goals are essentially the same regardless of where I’m playing. If I’m up in West Kendall I want to help get back into the playoffs and make a strong push. If I’m back down in Vancouver I want to get us back to the finals. I know it will be much tougher with all the players that are being called up, but other teams face that issue too so I think we could still do some damage. Personally, my goals are to just keep improving as a player, keep improving my physical form and getting myself good enough to make the SHL.

Interview
Code:
You were an integral part in the Whalers Four Star Cup run this season. Do you think this factors into WKP's decision to call you up or not?


I think it is definitely a factor. When I was drafted by West Kendall last season I came into the league halfway through the season, and was behind most players in terms of development. No one else showed interest except for the Platoon. Now after having a huge turnaround season with the Whalers, I’m close to being in the SHL. They’ve been following my progress and can tell how much work I’ve put into my game. I think I’ve proved I’m good enough for the SHL and the management sees that.


Interview
Code:
How does it feel to win a Four Star Cup a year removed after a crushing defeat in the finals?


It feels amazing. Having been beat out and getting swept in 4 games by the Knights was terrible. Especially after the controversy causing management change for the Whalers. I didn’t have a huge role on the team, but I was still a part of it so it stung. This year being on the top defensive line I was a huge piece of our playoff run. It was great improving and actually supporting some of my teammates from the previous year like Bure, Lundy and McZehrl. We even smoked the Knights on the way to the finals this year which made it even better. All in all it was a very satisfying win and a memory I wont forget!


Interview
Code:
If you had to stay down in the SMJHL for another season, what would you focus on to become a better player?


As I said to Windsor and Smirnov I will be definitely working on my skating and defense. If I find myself back in Vancouver I will be one of the strongest players in the league so I feel it’s time to work on some of my weaknesses. I wont just work on skating and my defensive skills and positioning, I also want to really work on my passing. It’s not really a weakness but the best defense is a good offense so the more I can get pucks to our scorers the better.



Interview
Code:
How do you feel about the outlook for the Platoon next season?


I’m VERY excited for Toonza next year. I was really pumped about making the jump this season too but it may be better to wait til playoffs for both parties. We’ve brought in a lot of great players; Birks, Lahey, and Arrowny. We did lose JHS, but we also have Wert and Wagner coming up from St Louis and Montreal. We also have the 4th overall pick this year so next year seems like the start of a new era for the Platoon.

Most of the core is just arriving or still very young. I think we have a very bright future. Even if I’m not with them at all this year, this should be my last season in the SMJHL. At that point we will be contenders if we aren’t this season.



Interview
Code:
If you do get called up, what would you say to the Whalers players and management as you move on to the next stage of your career?


If I got called up to the Platoon I would thank the whole team. Yousuf firstly for making my entrance into North American hockey a smooth one. I’m also very glad he reached out to me and persuaded me to join the Whalers. It took a while to get the ball rolling, but once it did, it was a boulder.

Of course I would thank JHS and Myers for putting pieces together and working to get us to the finals. They helped us click together and we finally got things figured out when it was most important. Finally I would thank all of you Whalers, It’s been a great 2 seasons. As much as JHS and Myers did to get us going, the group of guys we have here never gave up, even when it looked like there was no hope. We proved everyone wrong onto the way to another championship for the Whalers! If I’m back next year though, it will be for sure my last one, so I will aim to make it a great one!


Interview
Code:
Did you think going into the playoffs that the Whalers would win it all?


I honestly didn’t believe we could win at all. Sure we started picking up speed at the end of the regular season but the playoffs are a whole new game. I figured we would have put up a decent fight and nothing more. But then we beat the Prince George Firebirds in 6 games. I start thinking “okay we actually won a series, but there’s no way we beat the Kelowna Knights in the conference finals.” We end up beating the Knights with ease in 5 games. At that point I realised how good a group we had become, how great a team we played as. I knew after the Knights series that we were going all the way. The Impact put up a pretty good fight but we eventually prevailed.


Interview
Code:
What are your aspirations for next season? Your career as a whole?

Next season I just want to improve as a player as I move towards the next step of my hockey career; the SHL. I’ll probably be down in Vancouver again for one last season so that gives me a bit extra time to really hone my game so I can make a big impact for West Kendall once I make the jump. I want to continue being very physically sound, but also defensively reliable, so I do have some things to work on yet.

It will be an interesting season next year with Vancouver. Lots of teams will be losing players making the jump to the SHL and the Whalers are no exception. I will definitely have to step up as a top line defenseman for the team as it seems like we will have even less depth than this past year, and that’s not saying much. I haven’t really been following on who’s staying and who’s going, but I want to establish myself as a top 5 defenseman this year. I’ve come a long way from playing 4th line, 9 minutes a game, and I think this is the next step. Ultimately I want to lead the Whalers back into the playoffs, and specifically the finals.



In terms of my career, I’ve actually changed my aspirations. When I first made the jump to North America I knew there were a lot of great hockey players here and while I know I am one too, I was just striving to be a 2nd or 3rd line defenseman in the SHL. Someone that was responsible in his own end, but couldn’t really carry the team on his shoulders if need be. But lately I’ve been feeling more motivated and based on my progression just this past season I want to push myself as much as I can.

I don’t want to be some 2nd or 3rd line defenseman. I want to be a top line defenseman in the SHL. I want to be competing for defenseman of the year. I was drafted in the 3rd round last year. No one contacted me at all except for Bojo. I know he contacted most prospects that year, but he was the only one the showed any interest and I suppose some faith. I want to be the steal of my draft and one of the best players coming out of it. I want to be a hall of fame player and a winner.


Interview
Code:
Are you glad with the way you're developing as a player? Is there anything you wish you did differently?

I’m actually very glad with my progression and development as a player. My passing and defensive skills are good enough to be a top defenseman in the SMJHL and they’re only getting better. I want to improve my puck handling but I can only focus on a few things at once. Definitely something I want to improve though. I think I stand out from a lot of players because of my physical shape. I’m one of the strongest players in the league and my skating isn’t too bad and I feel that makes it easier for me to perform well. What’s the point of being a great passer, scorer or defensive rock if you can’t keep up with the speed and physicality of the game?

Interview
Code:
Expectations on how you'll play this coming season?

As I said earlier I expect to emerge as a top 5 defenseman in the SMJHL. It will be my last in Vancouver so I really want to make it the best so far. I also expect to help the Whalers back into the finals, even though we are losing several pieces from last season. I have faith that our rookies like Allen, Hoover, and Durden can step into the shoes of Bure, McZehrl and Ballard. If the Platoon make the playoffs I also expect to help them when the time comes.



Interview
Code:
How do you feel about the transactions the Platoon have made so far, this offseason?

I really like the transactions that the Platoon has made this year so far. We picked up some big players in Birks, Lahey, and Arrowny. And based on how the draft lottery went, we’ve moved around some picks, and I agree with them. I think the West Kendall management has done well so far, looks as if it will be a quick transition from bottom feeders to possible contenders. I’m excited to make the jump.

Interview
Code:
What do you think about moving to West Kendall?

I’m very excited to move to West Kendall. Miami has a lot of things to and of course the weather is great! Being from Scotland and then moving to Vancouver, the weather I’ve experienced most my life isn’t the greatest. Lots and lots of rain, mild temperatures, and some snow. I’m excited for the hot weather down in Florida! I’ll also be able to wear all my sneakers year round without worrying about rain or snow ruining them.

Interview
Code:
Are you ready to get hazed as a rookie?

Hell yeah I am, bring it on! Hazing was huge over in Britain so I’d like to see what you gabbers could come up with.


Interview
Code:
Why is Slappy McDoodle so incredibly awesome?

Slappy McDoodle is so incredibly awesome because he seems like the guy that does stupid shit even when he’s sober. Which is fantastic. He also has the same first same name as a somewhat infamous dummy…


Interview
Code:
Do you like pancakes?

Man I love pancakes, chocolate chip ones are the best. I like waffles too but pancakes are much better.


"I thank you all for the questions, here's until next time."

Gibbs steps down from the podium.
Reply
#2

What changed from regular season to playoffs to win three straight playoff rounds?

Who do you consider the MVP of the Whalers this season?

Will I need to separate you and Wagner this season? He's still in his room upset about the loss.

[Image: JbAlQ9E.png]
Reply
#3

Where will you be playing next season?

If you had to pick one part of your game to improve, what would it be?

What is your favourite memory of your SMJHL career?

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

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Berserkers Blizzard Usa




Reply
#4

What do you plan on improving on this off season?
Goals for next season?

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#5

You were an integral part in the Whalers Four Star Cup run this season. Do you think this factors into WKP's decision to call you up or not?

How does it feel to win a Four Star Cup a year removed after a crushing defeat in the finals?

If you had to stay down in the SMJHL for another season, what would you focus on to become a better player?

How do you feel about the outlook for the Platoon next season?

If you do get called up, what would you say to the Whalers players and management as you move on to the next stage of your career?
Reply
#6

updated first q's working on others
Reply
#7

moar update
Reply
#8

fully updated
Reply
#9

Did you think going into the playoffs that the Whalers would win it all?

What are your aspirations for next season? Your career as a whole?
Reply
#10

Are you glad with the way you're developing as a player? Is there anything you wish you did differently?

Expectations on how you'll play this coming season?

How do you feel about the transactions the Platoon have made so far, this offseason?

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Please take care of it. Here are some helpful links just in case.

Algonquin College Student Support Services - 613-727-4723
Crisis Text Line - Text 'HOME' to 741741
Distress Centre Ottawa and Region - 613-288-3311
Good2Talk - 1-866-925-5454
Kid's Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868
Mental Health Hotline Ontario - 1-866-531-2600
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255

Click here for a list of crisis centres within Canada
Suicide Prevention Resource Centre
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

If you have the contact info to your local mental help centres, let me know!

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Reply
#11

What do you think about moving to West Kendall?

Are you ready to get hazed as a rookie?

Why is Slappy McDoodle so incredibly awesome?

Do you like pancakes?

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Reply
#12

all updated, thx for q's


grade pls
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