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rrireal · 03-11-2016, 04:55 PM

[Ready for grading]

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Bennett Jones had a big night last night.

Quote:Originally posted by prettyburn@Mar 10 2016, 08:04 PM
<div align="center">[b]With the first selection in the 28th Annual Entry Draft, New England is proud to select from the Prince George Firebirds, Bennett Jones!

</div>[/b]

Just moments after the first pick was announced, we were able to sit down and talk to Jones for a few minutes. Though obviously thrilled, with a huge grin pasted on his face the whole time, Jones did seem a little flustered. He did manage to pull himself together enough to give a statement though.

“I’m hugely honoured to join the New England Wolfpack organization. There are a lot of players in New England that I really admire. I have a lot of respect for New England’s management and it feels really great that they chose to use their first pick on me. Honestly the moments between them announcing my name, me putting on the jersey, and ending up here talking to you are a bit of a blur. There’s so much happening tonight it’s a bit overwhelming but it’s so exciting. I’m hoping I’ll have one more season in Prince George to keep developing and maybe make some magic happen, and then I hope to have a positive impact in New England when the time comes. I want to keep training as much as possible, and do everything in my power to make sure New England never regrets using this pick on me. For the time being I’m just happy to be part of such a great organization.”

Ah Jones is a lovely kid, and he’s already got the media soundbite down.

Jones is now available for questions, so ask away!

(Also: thank you all for your congratulations, rrireal and Jones appreciate them! Wink

Who on NEW are you most looking forward to skating with?

I haven't gotten to know many of the Wolfpack's older players just yet, but after some serious off-season roadtrip bonding I have to say I'm really excited to have Mia Landvik on the ice with me so we can be awestruck rookies together. :-x

Feelings when your name was called first?

Just overwhelming excitement. I had really hoped to go to New England. I know a few people on the roster and had heard good things about the locker room atmosphere. Seeing myself in that Wolfpack green for the first time was definitely emotional. And of course my family was with me and they were excited too. There may have been a couple happy tears shed. It was an awesome moment.

Did you ever expect to go 1st OA?

I really didn't. Seeing how many people had listed me as their first overall prediction, I started to hope, that maybe, but it seemed too farfetched. Then on the day of the draft, New England reached out and told me their plan was to take me with the first pick. I went and edited my draft predictions (which had not previously listed me in the number one slot), but I could still hardly believe it. Even with the reassurance from New England that it was the plan, it seemed to surreal. I'm thrilled.

Did you get to do anything special to celebrate last night?

I had a chance to bond with my new teammates, as well as exchanging congratulations with my other friends who were drafted. A number of my friends and juniors teammates were also drafted in the top 10, so we took a few minutes to celebrate and let it sink in a bit, before I headed off to check out my new locker room. The Wolfpack welcomed me by murdering me several times, and providing an open bar, so I felt right at home :-x

Now that the draft is over, what will you focus on for the remainder of the off season?

I'm going to keep training, but I also have a couple other things on the go. I have a couple Finnish bros who are new to the league, so I'll be putting in some time to mentor them, make sure they're finding everything okay and help them get ready for the draft. I'm almost as excited for the SMJHL draft now as when I was in it myself. I have high hopes for PGF this season so I'm excited to see who we get, and I'm excited to see how my rookies fare Smile

How does it feel getting to play for team Finland?

It's a dream come true. When I found out I had made the roster, I called my mom. I forgot to take into account the time difference and I actually woke her up, but she wasn't too mad :lol:. It was pretty emotional, telling her I'd be following in her footsteps and representing our country. I know she's proud and she's always been my hero, so it feels great to be carrying on her legacy.

Any concerns with where the Wolfpack have landed in the standings the last few seasons?

None at all. I look forward to the opportunity to grow with my Wolfpack teammates, to see us all improve, and it'll make it that much sweeter when we do hoist a cup together.

Goals for this season with PGF?

I hope we draft well and take the league by storm. We have a dedicated core that I think will be really strong. As for my personal goals, I just want to help my team succeed.

How is playing for Team Finland in the IIHF?

Like I said before, it's a dream come true. I'm not playing huge minutes right now, which is good because I don't believe I'm ready for it. I hope I can contribute in small ways this tournament, and that a few seasons down the road I might have a bigger impact on the team's success.

How do you plan on living up to the high expectations of being a 1st overall pick?

For the most part, I plan to keep doing what I've been doing. I train hard, and I try to have a good presence in the locker room. I'll consult with my GM to see if there's anything specific they want from me, but otherwise I hope not to let my draft position change how I play my game. Presumably if they thought I was worth taking first overall, I must have been doing something right.

Taken technically 1st overall, what was your reaction?

Elation! I don't think there's any point in dwelling on what would have happened if Portland's pick hadn't been forfeited. Whether they would have chosen me or not doesn't change how happy I am to have been drafted so high, and to New England. It's a huge compliment and I'm excited to play for the Wolfpack.

How do you feel about your chances at a Cup?

I don't know if there's necessarily a cup in my very near future, but I have high hopes that with some development there is definitely one in the cards down the line.

Jenny · 03-11-2016, 04:59 PM

Who on NEW are you most looking forward to skating with?

crutch · 03-11-2016, 05:21 PM

no questions, just congrats on going 1st overall

TML99 · 03-11-2016, 05:28 PM

Love to see a new recruit go 1st OA in a class with re-creates! big congrats and keep up the hard work Smile

Feelings when your name was called first?
Interview

Did you ever expect to go 1st OA?

ej27 · 03-11-2016, 06:18 PM

Did you get to do anything special to celebrate last night?

Now that the draft is over, what will you focus on for the remainder of the off season?

How does it feel getting to play for team Finland?

lil · 03-11-2016, 06:42 PM

Any concerns with where the Wolfpack have landed in the standings the last few seasons?

Interview

Goals for this season with PGF?

Interview

How is playing for Team Finland in the IIHF?

Dangles13 · 03-11-2016, 06:49 PM

How do you plan on living up to the high expectations of being a 1st overall pick?

Mac · 03-11-2016, 06:56 PM

Taken technically 1st overall, what was your reaction?

How do you feel about your chances at a Cup?

Are you playing as a true rookie or 2nd season on Prince George?

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