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Toaster · 02-25-2025, 03:03 PM

Scott Caster: Ladies. Gentlemen. This is your host, Scott Caster here on 93.1 What The Puck radio. We’ve got a rookie on a mission joining us here in just a few moments, hailing from where I used to call home, Columbus Ohio. Absolutely beautiful city, amazing vibes, quite a few good hockey players originate from there. He’s gone on quite the journey, being drafted to probably the team furthest away from just about anywhere. While not blowing anyone out of the water in the preseason, this young man has been going off the rails in the regular season for a rookie. Currently holding a point per game pace as well as being tied for league lead of rookie points. I can’t wait to get into it all with him from draft, preseason, what we’ve seen so far, and anything in between. Without further ado, I believe we’ve got him on the other side. Please welcome one of the many rookies on The Armada up yonder in Alaska, Patrick Rail! Good morning Mr. Rail, absolute pleasure to have you on the show here this morning. Was doing my due diligence, radio show homework if you will, and during an interview with the dispatch you noted that you like weird questions and interviews. Let’s start off with some fun ones before we get into the more serious conversations later on shall we? First, the all important question. It’s a Saturday afternoon, no game or practice. You’re making a PBJ sandwich. Are you PB on one side jelly on the other kinda guy or both on the same slice? What’s the go to Jelly or jam? Crunch or smooth peanut butter?”

Patrick Rail: “Scott, it's a pleasure and a honor to be on your show! So I am a smooth peanut butter fanatic. I load up the one side with peanut butter and then hit the other side with some strawberry jam! Now they have gotten fancy with those uncrustables and those have been my go to for a quick snack. I will through some of those in my golf bag when I hit the course so I have a great back nine pick me up!”

S.C: Smooth peanut butter and strawberry jam, hard to go wrong with that combination. Funny you bring up uncrustables, had one just this morning. Been slacking on grocery store runs and ran thin on breakfast food. Popped one of them uncrustables in the toaster for a few, gives it a small crunch and makes it something special, give it a try next time you aren’t on the course. So you’re a golf man on the off days? What’s the handicap, favorite club, favorite course? Is that were you’re headed after running through the SHL, straight to the greens on a PGA tour?

P.R: I don't think numbers go high enough for my golf! I shoot in the 90s most of the time. I like to golf especially in the spring and fall as a nice way to just be outside in a pretty peaceful environment. My favorite course I have played on was the World Tour Golf Links in Myrtle Beach. It has all the famous holes as replicas and is a very fun and challenging course. Definitely not much golfing this time of the year in Anchorage though! Favorite club would be pitching wedge, nothing like being able to place the ball close to the hole on approach shots, it doesn't happen very often!

S.C: Amen to that Patrick, nothing beats a nice spring or fall day on course. Calm weather, maybe a nice breeze, and the perfect temperature. I’ve not been out to the World Tour Links in Myrtle Beach but from what I’ve seen it’s absolutely beautiful, and sounds like quite the challenge for any golfer with those replicas. Favorite as the pitching wedge isn’t one I hear too often, but definitely an admirable choice. Got to be able to set up those easy tap in. Can’t imagine the weather up there this time of year in anchorage is too favorable to golf, found any indoor sims to keep the rust off? Speaking of Anchorage, they selected you with one of their third round picks. What was it like having your name called? Did you think it’d be sooner? What were your first impressions of the team and of Alaska? I know you’re from Ohio and it gets cold, but that’s got to be another beast up there.

P.R: I haven't found a simulator yet, been very busy just adjusting to the J and everything that comes with it. It was amazing to hear my name. I have said it before I felt there was 5 teams that was going to select me. Anchorage was one of those teams. I can't lie and say I wasn't disappointed to not go sooner. I feel sometimes GM/scouts put more merit in how active someone is in the discord on how they will be a more active player. I don't necessarily agree, some people aren't so fast to jump in a discord and just talk without seeing what the vibe is. I was set to be a max earner and I'm still doing everything to achieve that. So I feel I should have been at least a 2nd rounder but once the class got so large I knew there was a good chance I was dropping. I love Anchorage. The prices are high but the scenery is gorgeous! It's hard to get used to how much light there is at times and the cold definitely sucks but unlike Ohio where a day starts at 70 degrees and by 5pm it's -2, I know what I'm getting up here.

S.C: I’m sure you have been, a lot of information to take in all at once fresh out of the draft; getting settled in to the new lands, meeting teammates, doing press, practicing, playing games. Always a bummer watching your name fall in the draft, never knowing when you’ll be picked up. I could definitely agree some of them place more emphasis on certain things over others, could have been a reason you fell to the 3rd. Maybe I’ll have to hire you as your guide if I ever make it up that way, just during a warmer time maybe. I don’t do well in the cold, so predictably in the weather sounds like an upgrade to me. Having fallen to the 3rd round do you feel a like you have a little chip on your shoulder to prove yourself; either to yourself or other prospects and teams that selected before you? Wouldn’t say you took the league by storm in the preseason (Regular season has been different but we’ll get to that), but definitely played with purpose and a desire for greatness in those first seven. Netting three goals and an assist.

P.R: I would say that I do have a chip on my shoulder from it. I think more so off ice than on ice. I think I have been trying to be more active and even creative on the discord on on medias. Just to show what other teams missed out on and it has the added benefit of making Figgy look like a genius. Preseason I felt I did ok. It's always an adjustment and a learning curve so to get 7 games to learn was great. Getting a goal definitely made me feel like I was doing the right things. Overall as a team we put up decent results and had something to really build off of.

S.C: Everyone needs a little motivation, and it sounds like they’ve given you all you need to be successful here in the league! Creative media, super active, genuine dude. Figgy looking smarter by the minute. Put up decent results to build off of, and build off of it you did. Continuing the performance and growing, you’ve been putting on quite the performance this season! Throughout the Anchorage Armadas first sixteen games you’ve put up an impressive 7-9-16 stat line, just reaching that PPG pace. Which, correct me if I’m wrong, is tied for league lead among rookies. Along the way you’ve had quite a few standout performances. Is there one in particular that you are most proud of, either for you or the team, and did you expect to be lighting it up this early in the rookie campaign?

P.R: I am tied for 1st with rookies in points after the quarter mark which is absolutely amazing to me. To be part of such a great class and to be towards the top of that in points is just..... wow! I think there is 2 games that stick out to me. 1st game was against Vancouver. It's always great to beat them but that being our first win of the season made it even better. It was also the night that I scored my first SMJHL goal! So overall that will always stay with me. Plus beating people who kill whales is doing God's work. 2nd game was our 5 to 2 win against San Diego. I ended up netting 1 goal and 2 assists to take home the 1st star of the game. So to get that and such a great win just made it even better. I worked hard to score and thought I would have goals but the assists have been rolling and a huge part of that are my line mates. Having Kirkby out there leading us on the 2nd line and Corleone on the opposite wing has been amazing. Without them I don't think I'm at the top of rookies in points.

S.C: Absolutely amazing indeed and well deserved for the work you’ve been putting in on and off the ice. Topping this massive and skilled draft class is no easy feat. You beat me to mentioning it, but being so early in your career and having earned first star honors is very impressive. Love to see you give the line mates some love, it’s a team sport after-all. Is that a little rivalry I sense? Anchorage Armada patrolling the seas for whale killers. That will be a game to always look forward too, small boost of extra passion when taking the ice against a rival. Going over my notes here, I see you’ve covered just about every rookie fire there is to achieve so early on. Had your first point in your first game, first goal in the second game, have already recorded multiple multi point games one of which was a three point night against the tidal. If I noted correctly, you’ve already earned all three stars of the game. First against the tidal, second in the early rematch against the scarecrows after the heartbreaker in a S/O to start the season, and third star recently against the Malamutes. Think the only big other one to keep note of is first hat trick. Is that something that you’ll be following along with as the season progresses and is there any other personal milestones or achievements you’d like to hit?

P.R: There's two milestones I'm shooting for, I am hoping to get a hat trick this season. I have gotten so close and you can taste it so you're just wishing you get a little luck to net that 3rd goal! Then other milestone is I really want to post a 90s game grade. I have hit that on the offensive side but haven't overall. Getting a 90+ game rating will show you truly led your team and played an amazing game. Those are my personal goals. Overall goal is of course to win the 4 star cup! To win that means you were the best in the J. If it happens this year it means we shut Quebec down on their quest to 3-peat. It also means we bring the cup back here to Anchorage for the first time since s57.

S.C: Two very obtainable personal goals, but still on the challenging side. I’ll sure be rooting for you to hit them whenever I catch an Armada game. You were ever so close in the game against the Walleyes for that elusive hat trick, but I’ve got no doubt with the tear you’ve been on that it’ll hit. Keep improving both sides of your game and I’m without a doubt you’d hit that second one as well. As for the overall goal, I’d be a little worried if that one wasn’t stated. QCC is on the brink of history with their 3-peat, who wouldn’t want to shut that down? Equally as impressive is a rookie who knows team history, which you’ve clearly read up on. Pushing almost 25 seasons since the last Anchorage cup, sounds like the perfect time to bring it back. Just a few more questions for you Patrick before we head to a break, been an absolute blast having you on. Do you feel the Armada is set up for that cup push? Added a few pieces in the draft to add to their veteran group, moved around captaincy (Cs and As) I’ve heard. What’s the leadership like around the locker room?

P.R: I honestly do. Before the season began i felt we were going to be a team trying to gain their footing. We have such an impressive veteran group but they were needing to replace a ton of offensive firepower that they lost to call ups. We have the back to back reigning defensive defenseman award winner in Dieter Frühstüc. Honestly with how his first quarter of this season went i see him being a 3 time winner of that award. Hughes Incorporated is a leader on and off the ice. Wass has been so great defensively and is just a hitter back there. Jay Dub although just a sophomore he has really started to lead the team and leads us in Goals. All that and I still have covered Juneau, Kirby, Hoglord III and Bodine all just great veterans who are leading the way for us.
What it is going to take for us to win it all is all of us Rookies stepping up and having the next man up mentality. Which they have. Pano leads rookies in goals, Jonny has been playing great in net as a rookie and is getting better. Meredydd has joined the stack d core as a rookie and sometimes it's hard to notice he is a rookie and not a veteran. Waiver pickups of send noodlez and Corleone have been pulling all their weight and Moodano has anchored that 3rd line.
We did a team vote on Captains, and without a single surprise Dieter Frühstüc won overwhelmingly. Our Alternates are Hughes Incorporated and Matthew Pano. I feel our Captains and Alternates give a great mix of Veteran leadership and newcomer perspective to get this team over that hump.

S.C: A team that has indeed gained their footing, as well as loaded up with the offensive fire power to complement the veteran core. Sounds like the scout department and GMs have really figured it out. Have a rookies point leader, rookies goal leader, and an absolute unit in between the pipes. I did a piece covering goalies prior to the draft and it’s no surprise that Johnny is locking down the net. Well worded and some high praise for the entire roster, keep up that mentality it’ll take you further than one would think, team sport after all even though you are absolutely electric to watch on ice. Think the only real surprise, outside looking in at least, is that big A on Matthew Pano. To all us outsiders it seems like he wants out, is it all just a façade?

P.R: I honestly don't know, I know Figgy has made it clear on many occasions that he isnt going to trade anyone. As long as he is in the lockerroom, battling for the team, and not speaking negative of the team, he can request a trade daily, especially if he keeps scoring the goals.

S.C Fair enough! Figgy says it’s so, no one’s moving anywhere. At the same time though, if he’s performing like that.. why would anyone trade him? Doesn’t seem like a smart move at all for a team looking at making a run. Any who, back to you Mr. Rail. Guest of honor on the show, the focus here is you. Think that just about sums up the season until now, so let’s start wrapping it up with another could be fun question that’s from a nine year old caller a while back. Do you have any superstitions or rituals before games that you have to do for it all to feel right?

P.R: That's a great question! I think it depends. Right now this season is have 2 big rituals going, first is Im wearing the same undershirt and socks every game. The 2nd is my skate blades get sharpened left boot then right boot. If I do right first I change out blades away. If things start going down hill I completely switch it up and see if I get on another heater.

S.C: Same undershirt and socks.. for the sake of your skin and those around you I hope they still get washed after every game. I like the idea of rotating ones, see what gets you going! Think that’ll wrap up this segment, director over there is staring a hole in my head which means it’s time for a commercial break. Has been an absolute blast having you on, thanks again for coming. Wish you luck with the rest of the season, may you find success and that elusive hat trick Patrick!

P.R: Scott, man, it was great to be on with you! Great interview and I look forward to many more!

S.C: There you have it everyone, the one who might go down as the steal of the draft in the 3rd round to Anchorage. Patrick Rail is on a mission to prove people wrong and he’s sure off to a great start. Just about every personal accomplishment already under his belt in terms of games and we’re only sixteen games in. Hope he can nab that elusive hatty before the season ends and check off just another box on his journey. Hope everyone enjoyed this interview as much as I did, maybe we’ll see him back in the future! For now though we need to run through some commercials, just in the other side of this we’ll be talking about if there’s more doors or windows in the world. Stay tuned.

**As Scott concludes yapping, it would cut immediately to the start of a commercial.**

{Ready for grading - Total words: 3114. Everything after S.C is done by me (1808 words). Everything after P.R is done by @Prayl07 (1306 words) and italicized. Had a great time doing this with you, may we revist in the future!}

Prayl07 · 02-25-2025, 03:36 PM

I enjoyed working with you on this!

ColonelSaunders · 02-25-2025, 05:44 PM

Is there any better radio program rn than WTP?? Scott Caster is killing the game!

Oh great guest as well! I'll definitely be watching his numbers this season.

visceralpotamus · 02-25-2025, 07:02 PM

02-25-2025, 03:03 PMToaster Wrote: S.C: A team that has indeed gained their footing, as well as loaded up with the offensive fire power to complement the veteran core. Sounds like the scout department and GMs have really figured it out. Have a rookies point leader, rookies goal leader, and an absolute unit in between the pipes. I did a piece covering goalies prior to the draft and it’s no surprise that Johnny is locking down the net. Well worded and some high praise for the entire roster, keep up that mentality it’ll take you further than one would think, team sport after all even though you are absolutely electric to watch on ice. Think the only real surprise, outside looking in at least, is that big A on Matthew Pano. To all us outsiders it seems like he wants out, is it all just a façade?

P.R: I honestly don't know, I know Figgy has made it clear on many occasions that he isnt going to trade anyone. As long as he is in the lockerroom, battling for the team, and not speaking negative of the team, he can request a trade daily, especially if he keeps scoring the goals.

FREE PERCH!

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