I still cant believe - draft interview with Janis Lux (2x draft media)
|
Lukstins88
Registered Member
Welcome, im Jinder Mahal from "Calgary News". This time we will look at Calgary Dragons newest prospect - latvian forward Janis Lux. We will look at his rookie season and have little bit interview with him.
Janis Lux is a left winger from Latvia. In SMJHL draft he was drafted pretty low, with 59th pick. Defending champions Anchorage Armada put trust in guy who no one knew here in North America. Every one thought that he wont have success here in North America but he has proven that he is hard working guy. Even in his rookie season he gained coaches trust when he was elevated to teams third line. He shocked not just Anchorage but all league with his performance. In his rookie season he scored 10 goals and gave 12 assists. He has impressive play-off run too. He helped Armada reach finals, yet again. He shocked all when he was teams best goal scorer in finals against Quebec. It shocked all, except Anchorage. They knew who they picked and they trusted this young guy. After SMJHL season ended, Janis went back to Latvia, in his own words to recharge his batteries. Meanwhile in North America happened preparation for SHL S59 draft. Every young players dream is to play in this league. About week before draft I had chance to talk little bit with Janis, he said that there has been some interest from SHL teams in him but he really doesnt believe in chance to be drafted this season. "It would be weird if guy like me could be drafted in SHL after only one season in SMJHL, it would be crazy", was his answer to all those rumours surrounding him going to one of the SHL teams. After draft we had chance to talk with new Dragon. Jinder Mahal: Welcome Janis. First of all, Happy Easter. Janis Lux: Thanks, Jinder. Happy to you too. Jinder Mahal: Thanks. So lets talk about SHL draft. Week ago you said that you dont believe that you will be picked but here we are, you are member of Calgary Dragons. How you feel? How it was to hear your name been called? Janis Lux: Well first let me say that i didnt saw draft live. Like I said week ago I dont believe i will be drafted so I really didnt payed attention to draft. I even didnt saw draft, because since im in Latvia with time zones it was nighttime here. News about being drafted I got after I woke up and in social media I saw my name been mentioned. I thought it was very late april fools joke. I re-watched draft and yes I was on the board. First emotions were shock of course. How, what, why, all these questions in my head. Jinder Mahal: And how are you feeling now, when first emotions are gone? Janis Lux: I still cant believe, but I feel very motivated, very excited. Jinder Mahal: Did you had chance to talk to Dragons general manager or coaches? Janis Lux: Yes after draft I had small chat with General manager Izzy. Great guy. Jinder Mahal: Can you talk about who wanted to draft you beside Calgary? Janis Lux: Sorry Jinder, its personal. If teams will say then its up to them. Draft interviews are between me and those teams. Jinder Mahal: I understand, but can you tell me at least how many teams were interested in you? Janis Lux: Lets just say more than I expected. Jinder Mahal: Ok. About Calgary. Why they chose you? Janis Lux: Actually it was my "quite" question too. I think this question would apply to every team who picked me. Im not sure why they picked me, havent really spoken to general manager yet. So i dont have real answer to that. Jinder Mahal: Calgary traded up to get you. That means they really wanted you. Janis Lux: Yes, its crazy. When I saw that I couldnt belive. They really wanted me. That means alot for me. They really trust in my game. Jinder Mahal: What can you give Calgary Dragons? Janis Lux: I dont like to brag about myself. I let my play speak. Jinder Mahal: Lets talk about last season. Last season was your first year in North America. How was transition from Latvian junior league to SMJHL? Janis Lux: Transition was interesting. Of course SMJHL is the best Juniors league in the world and it took some time to adjust to league, in all aspects. Rink size, style of playing, speed. Jinder Mahal: In SMJHL you were drafted pretty late but you were teams best player in the finals. How did that happened? Janis Lux: Yes I was drafted at 59th but it just motivated me work harder and use every chance i get. Was i teams best player in finals? No I was terrible in finals. Jinder Mahal: But you scored 3 goals in finals. Janis Lux: So? In the end it doesnt really matter. We lost. I dont care how much goals i score. If team looses then its my fault that we lost, because I didnt do all what i could do to help team win. Yes I scored 3 goals, but I chose to score 0 if that would helped team win. Jinder Mahal: About finals against Quebec. How that was? Janis Lux: Now that emotions are settled I can say that Quebec is one great team and they deserved to win. No one really believed in us that we could make to finals but we played against odds and got there where we lost to better team. Jinder Mahal: Anchorage lost few star players, and its expected that you will have to step up to fill that gap. Janis Lux: Yes we lost great guys, great players, great teammates. I dont know about my next seasons role. I havent talked to coaches about that and I wont talk about it with them now, when SMJHL draft is so close. I trust that we will be strong and will fight for championship yet again. Jinder Mahal: When can we expect you to see in Calgary form? Janis Lux: Its up to coaches, but I know that for now its nearly impossible to get in that great squad. Jinder Mahal: Knowing that Calgary will be watching your games, does that puts extra pressure on you? Janis Lux: Definitely. On other hand like I said for now that team looks great and they already have great prospects in safe. I just need to play my game and let my game speak. Jinder Mahal: What is your targets for next season? Janis Lux: Number one target is that championship. I want to help team regain that lost title. I know we can do that, I trust my teammates. Other targets are just subordinated. In stats wise it would be great to have better season than before but like I said I really dont care about stats, I want to help team win even if I dont play I will be the best cheerleader out there to support my team. Jinder Mahal: Thanks Janis for interview. Again, welcome to Calgary. Any last words to Calgary fans? Janis Lux: Im not a big talker, so I will just say thanks guys for support. I know how passionate fans are in Calgary. Im happy to be a member of such great franchise as Calgary. (1419 words)
Drafted 59th Overall in SMJHL S58 draft by Anchorage Armada Drafted 9th in SMJHL S60 expansion draft by Great Falls Grizzlies Drafted 36th Overall in SHL S59 draft by Calgary Dragons
DeletedAtUserRequest
Registered Posting Freak
04-04-2021, 04:08 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-04-2021, 04:08 PM by DeletedAtUserRequest.)
golden_apricot
IIHF Federation Head Trade Me
ACapitalChicago
Registered :boblincoolright:
Steelhead77
Registered S27, S29, S32, S40, S42 Challenge Cup Champion & Parm King
Jinder Mahal from Calgary news always gets the inside story! Great read!
Calgary is lucky to have such a great motivated young player, a real team guy who wants to win championships! Will be a great fit! Keep up the good work! ---> ParmBorg Highlights <---
#1 All-Time SHL Goal & Point Scorer - First 2,000 TPE Player in SHL History - - First 400 Goal Scorer in SHL History - - Only 500 Goal Scorer in SHL History - - First GM to Win 5 & 6 Challenge Cups - Esa Anrikkanen Award - SMJHL ROY - Est. S34 Vidrik Onoprienko Award Winner - S45 |
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
Users browsing this thread: |
1 Guest(s) |