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Merica · 11-01-2014, 07:25 PM

Daniel Merica, officially being introduced as a member of the Manhattan Rage.

On tonight’s episode of Inside The SHL, we have the privilege of interviewing the man of hour, the new star forward and co-general manager of the Manhattan Rage, the always flamboyant Daniel Merica. It’s been a mere 24 hours since the world was shocked with the news of Seattle trading their most prized and well-known player, and the Seattle fan base is still in disbelief. It’s a move that caught everyone by surprise, and a lot of people are teeming with questions, and now those will be answered by the man himself…Please welcome Daniel Merica.

Daniel Merica:
- Thanks for having me Sean.
Sean Baker:
- And thank you for taking the time out of what has to be a very busy schedule these days, since assuming the role of Co-Gm.

Merica:
- There is definitely a few more things on my plate, a lot more responsibility, but nothing I can’t handle with excellence. I got a taste of management during my time with Team USA and have had the privilege of learning from Christoph Klose, who I believe is the best GM in the SHL.
Baker:
- Speaking of Klose, are you two going to be able to remain friends? It’s not a secret that the two of you have built a close friendship, has the move to Manhattan affected that at all?

Merica:
- Oh yeah, definitely. We hold each other in high regard and I have the utmost respect for him. He was a professional throughout this, and the negotiations have taken all season, so I can’t even begin to express my gratitude to him for making this happen, especially when it really wasn’t the best thing for Seattle. But opportunities like the one here in Manhattan don’t come around very often, and it’s a challenge I had to take. So no, moving here doesn’t affect our friendship. We both understand it’s business.
Baker:
- This move was not seen coming, and it took the entire league by surprise. Your fans in Seattle are still left wondering what happened and how they could lose their, arguably, best player. What do you have to say to all your fans? Because let me tell you, they are not happy right now.

Merica:
- We kept the whole thing quiet, there was no point in broadcasting the negotiations, because nothing was a sure thing, and even a few hours before the deal was finalized, I wasn’t entirely sure it was going to happen. So it wouldn’t have been fair to string along the fans for no reason. I love them to death, and can tell you I already miss their insane tenacity, they are the best fans in the world and Manhattan has some big shoes to fill. I would expect nothing less from them than to be upset, I know it’s a blindside hit. I will also love them though. And what do you mean arguably?
Baker:
- Many people have been wondering whether a major reason for your departure stems from your shaky relationship, to put it nicely, with Riot Co-Gm Chris McZehrl. Can you expound on this?

Merica:
- It wasn’t a factor. If this co-gm opening hadn’t come up, I’d still be wearing Seattle across my sweater next season. Chris and I have our differences, and we certainly didn’t get along very well these past couple seasons, but we both agreed to let bygones be bygones and move forward. He is an incredible player, one of the best in SHL history and I am very thankful for having got the chance to play with him.
Baker:
- Alright, so you had a career high in goals this past season, with 24, playing most of your minutes on the third line, but dropped from 50 points to 47. Moving to a team that doesn’t have a third of the offensive weapons you had in Seattle, what are you expecting in your first season with Manhattan? Keeping in mind that now you are the #1 priority of defenses everywhere, there is no McZ or Brovalchuck to take the pressure off you.

Merica:
- I expect my numbers to explode. I’m now the undisputed #1 player on Manhattan, and I’m in a much, much weaker conference. If I can put up 138 points in the past three seasons against the best competition the SHL has to offer, I expect to dominate. Sure, I don’t have Brovalchuck, Tut or McZ, but I wasn’t playing on their line anyway, so I’m actually upgrading my line mates in Manhattan. Plus, I’ll have Roy Razin on the blue line, he’s a monster. The pressure is certainly on, however, because as it stands right now, the offense is going to live and die on my performance. I wanted the spotlight, I wanted the challenge, and now I have it.

[Image: jahz5t.jpg]

Merica has always clamored for the spotlight, and now he will have all he can handle.

Baker:
- How soon before the Rage are contending?

Merica:
- A lot sooner than most people think. We have a plan, and it’s already moving faster than we expected. In a conference where the #4 seed made the playoffs with 38 points, I am very confident we will be in there in S21. Contenders? No, not that fast, I’m not delusional, we still have a long ways to go before were in a position to take down the best the West has to offer, but a playoff team, hell yes. This team is young, and itching to prove they belong, we have a lot of talent who haven’t even begun to hit their primes. Defensively, with Roy Razin, Chuck Goody and Tyler Stropko, we have an excellent core. Offensively we aren’t deep, and it’s an issue we are addressing, but we are very confident in Thor Ludvigsen, he has the talent to be a top Center in this league and I'm excited to line up beside him. And than there is Colt Constantine, who we have high hopes for.
Baker:
- Obviously, you have a good relationship with GM Chuck Goody, can you tell us a little more how that begin?

Merica:
- Well not until I became the Head Coach of Team USA did we really have any interaction to speak of. But we hit it off pretty quick, we have similar interest, personalities, and I was impressed with his work ethic. When I became a free agent last season, he approached me with the offer to become his co-gm. It definitely was a surprise, and the timing wasn’t right, so I told him if he could wait till next season, I’d see what Klose thought and try to get something worked out. I am really looking forward to working with Chuck, not only is he a great GM, but he is one of the best young defenseman coming into the SHL this coming season and I’m excited to be a part of his growth.
Baker:
-Ok, so this is your first day in Manhattan, correct? Big difference from Seattle eh?

Daniel Merica:
- Oh yeah, their very different cities, which is what you would expect. I've always liked New York, and enjoyed my visits here, so I am really excited to settled in and experience everything there is to offer. It's a much bigger stage than Seattle, I can already feel the scrutiny that is the Big Apple, which is so often talked about. It's going to be a blast.
Baker:
-Alright, last question. You are now in the East, and in a management position. Two of your past teammates, both of whom you have a bad past with, being Dean Colt and Joey Langdon, hold co-gm positions with Eastern teams. Does this amp the rivalry any?

Merica:
- Oh of course. The bad feelings between us haven’t dissipated any over the years and now they will probably be amped up. I am truly looking forward to furthering my dominance over them.
Baker:
- Alright, thank you for your time, Daniel. For Inside The SHL, this is Sean Baker, have a great American night!

Words: 1305

Gifter of Bikes · 11-02-2014, 02:00 PM

As always, thanks for the kind words. Cheers

Chris-McZehrl · 11-02-2014, 02:08 PM

you will be ever a part of the first Cup win for the Franchise Riot

B)

***Nike*** · 11-02-2014, 02:41 PM

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