You walk back downstairs from the bike room, your legs wobbly in a way that goes beyond over-use. It's possible you're angry at how you've been playing, despite the encouragement you've been getting from the guys in the room, despite the Prince George coaching staff that tells you you're doing fine, you're on track for where you should be in your rookie development.

You can't help but think of your last game against Colorado, Krügs assist on the third goal -- thank God it hadn't been on the equalizer, you don't like to think of yourself as petty but that would've been unbearable. You hadn't done anything that game -- no points, no hits, no shots blocked. A first-paring pylon.

At least tonight you scored a goal -- for all it hadn't mattered in the wake of the defensive collapse in the 3rd, and the shoot-out loss that had followed.

Still -- Mr. Winter and Coach York had made it clear, part of being the first round pick for the Firebirds came with... expectations. You're the face of this season's crop of rookies, your ability to play like it not withstanding. It might suck, it might mean that being only about average so far is twenty-times more embarrassing for you, it might mean you're driven to bike way too hard during cool-downs -- risking a thorough smack-down from the training staff tomorrow morning -- but it doesn't mean you're gonna get out of doing press.

Coach York catches your eye as you sneak past the scrum currently attacking vets like Fearghal, and Corms, and Bergy. You pantomime changing your shirt and he nods, turning back to the lights and microphones. You duck into the locker room, strip off your underarmor, and toss one of the ten or so team t-shirts they gave you for training and media purposes. You'd rather take a shower first, but you know you really can't get away with that.

You spend a moment staring at your locker, draining the rest of your water bottle, and then shove a snapback onto your head and make your way back out to where the media is waiting.

York grabs you not all that gently by the elbow and guides you towards where your teammates are still taking questions rapid-fire. Fearghal takes your appearance to mean he can tap-out, and pats you on the back before melting into the background and letting you take his place.

The questions start up right away.

REPORTER: Tomáš -- congrats on going so high in the draft; alongside Sophia Bennett, you were the second upset of the evening, going so high after central scouting projecting you to go low first round or high second.

TOOTHSOME: Thanks, and yeah, it was a surprise.

REPORTER: Do you feel like there's additional pressure on you now to live up to the implications of the selection?

TOOTHSOME: I mean, yes and no -- coming in as a rookie, you know you're gonna wanna play your heart out regardless of whether you go first round or fourth. Nothing much has changed about that, but I have tremendous respect for the staff here in Prince George, and they obviously believe very strongly in my ability to excel in hockey -- if anything, that faith is a positive sort of pressure to train and play as keenly as possible.

REPORTER: With that in mind, how do you feel you've done compared to the reset of the rookie crop, especially now with the preseason behind us?

TOOTHSOME: I picked up ten points, had a pretty aggressively positive plus-minus, blocked shots, netted a goal on the powerplay -- it was nice getting a taste of what the season's gonna hold going forwards. There was definitely some stiff competition. Finn Krüger, who I know from world juniors, had a phenomenal preseason with the Mammoths, he's texted me a bunch with is point tally so his success has been kind of inescapable (laughs), but uh -- Shirobokov, too, for Kelowna, looking pretty good out there on the ice. Goody Jr. still looks solid -- his playoff performance obviously not a fluke. Magar's another one, like Krügs, just wiping the floor with the rest of the defensive rookies these past few days. Insane point tally, and almost 35 shots blocked -- him and Khet Chupp taking the vets to school on using the body. At this point, I think saying anything other than that I'm solidly middle-of-the-pack would be an exaggeration, but I don't intend to stay there for long if I can help it.

REPORTER: What one element of your style of play do you think was genuinely outstanding this preseason?

TOOTHSOME: My skating. I'm not the biggest guy really, especially as a defenseman, but these guys out there are having a heck of a time putting hits on me -- it's actually kind of funny watch them get frustrated missing the timing on their checks. Feels vindicating, you know? Feels good.

Code:

Anyone else is free to ask questions -- about Tooth's playing or whatever otherwise. I'll leave this up for a little bit but probably not more than a week. Do not grade yet.

What players are you looking forward to playing with on Prince George?

How is the atmosphere within the Prince George organization?

Being drafted so high to the SMJHL will put you on every SHL team's list for the upcoming draft. Do you believe you can be a top-three selection in the next SHL draft?

s/o sve7en for sig

Do you feel any pressure from being drafted so highly?

You've been playing the entire preseason next to last season's Firebirds Captain, Caelan Fearghal. How much have you learned from him already?

You've yet to even play a regular season game, but with the SHL draft looming at the end of the season, any thoughts on any of the teams that you may be playing for as early as next season?

https://www.twitch.tv/symmetrikal

Katharina Rosenthal || G || Newfoundland Berserkers || 208 TPE ||
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 154 lbs

Christian Kinsinger || D || Winnipeg Aurora || 2042 Peak TPE ||
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 212 lbs

Luca Veccelli || C || Retired || 1093 Peak TPE ||
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 208 lbs

Chris York || RW || Retired || 1817 Peak TPE || HOF ||
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 184 lbs

Prince George Firebirds GM (S34-S36)
Toronto North Stars GM (S37-S43)

What are your personal goals for this season?


What do you think PGF chances are with a rookie goaltender after a veteran goaltender could not help them get past Kelowna in the playoffs?

Update Thread - Player Page
Update Scale

Former players:
Ivo Willems (S9 SMJHL) (S10-28 SHL)  
Xander Green  (S33-35 SMJHL) (S36-47 SHL)
Vorian Atreides (S49-51 SMJHL) (S52-61 SHL)

I am of the opinion the teeth are immensely important.

Chris McZehrl III - Anchorage Armada


Challenge Cup Wins:
S18 - Seattle Riot (with Chris McZehrl)*
S23 - New England Wolfpack (with Chris McZehrl)*
S27 - Calgary Dragons (with VLAD McZehrl)**
S34 - Manhattan Rage (with VLAD McZehrl)
S37 - Winnipeg Jets (with VLAD McZehrl)
S46 - Buffalo Stampede (with GOD McZehrl)*

*first ever Challenge Cup of Franchise History
**first ever Challenge Cup win after 0-3 in Finals Series

Four Star Cup Wins:
S24 - Vancouver Whalers (with VLAD McZehrl)
S39 - St. Louis Scarecrows (with GOD McZehrl)

SHL Hall of Fame Members:
S24 - Chris McZehrl *
(GP: 764 | G: 322 | A: 461 | P: 783 | +/-: +109)
S40 - VLAD McZehrl *
(GP: 653 | G: 333 | A: 361 | P: 694 | +/-: +141)

*1st Ballot Hall of Famer

small note: GOD McZehrl played at first as Defender and later as Forward!

All of PGF's five games thus far have been won by a single goal, with three of them going to a shootout. Is there anything in particular that you think is causing that, and do you know of any plans to address it going forward?

I know this is your first season in the SMJHL, but I expect you've heard of the PGF-Kelowna rivalry. The Firebirds started the season with three games against Kelowna, and won all three. Does this point to a better playoffs result if the two match up again this season, or is it too soon?

The league just recently reorganized to one combined conference, instead of splitting east from west. Do you think that's a good change, or would you prefer to play under the old system?