After an extended off-season, the players are back in town for what should be a very exciting season. There are many expectations going into this season for Toronto and there will be all eyes on Harter as his development almost solely determines how this season will end for the hungry Toronto fanbase. After a heavy training off season and some success in the IIHF, Mark is better then ever and knows he will be on his game.



This press conference will field questions about Toronto, the IIHF tournment as GM, any league issues, or any Kelowna Knight events that you want me to comment on.

Originally posted by 701+Jun 13 2015, 04:53 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1' id='QUOTE-WRAP'><tr><td>QUOTE (701 @ Jun 13 2015, 04:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->How much do you love me?[/b]

You're my favorite Russian intruder in the infamous Russian Kik. It has died down a but but your always ready to go whether it's a late night Donnybrook or suffering through one of Kozar's awkward storys. It's always a good time when your drunk and it's always a suprise of what's going to come next. You may not be a Russian but your surely appreciated for being around the Russian Kik.

Originally posted by 701@Jun 13 2015, 04:53 PM<br />What are your expectations for this upcoming season?

There has been a lot of change since my draft class came into the locker room of Toronto. The following draft classes have been filled with very active and enthusiastic players. It's a whole new attitude in Toronto and this season could be the first season in a while you see us above the playoff cut off. Not only because of the great drop of New England but the great talent Toronto had called up as well as the great draft class of this season. The home grown talent is really going to give us an edge.

Not just that, but the talent that was brought in was superb. Shenn and Webb week be instant impact players and could really push us over the top. We lost a few key players and it really knocked the wind out of our sails but even with that step back I believe.

Originally posted by 701@Jun 13 2015, 04:53 PM<br />If you could go to any team and start, besides Toronto, where would you want to go?

There are a few great, great teams out there. One team that comes to mind is Edmonton. The Edmonton Blizzard are constantly threatening to make a cup run season in and out. They also have both of my Smjhl GMs whom I still have a very solid connection with, along with a few teammates who I still talk to. Adding that with the other great personalities I'm sure they have in Edmonton makes them an attractive spot.

Another team who would be more realistic is Minnesota. After the blockbuster moves that they have been laying down it would be hard for anybody to not want to be apart of what is shaping up to be one of the best teams of the 24th season and favorites to go all the way. They have picked up some huge defensive assets who are exactly what a goalie who is about to hit his prime needs. JT was the first SHL goalie to show interest in me and it's just one of those things that if I ever got the chance I'd like to repay the favor.

Originally posted by 701@Jun 13 2015, 04:53 PM<br />When you start your job, will it majorly effect your activity?

I don't believe it will be a problem. If anything it will limit my Locker room presence but as far as my tpe gain, there really shouldn't be too much of a change. I should be hitting 40 hours a week but that should leave plenty of time to bang out a few PTs and root on the boys. Plus as with the nature of a lot of EMT jobs, there is plenty periods of downtime where I'll probably look towards SHL to fill that time. No worries :D

Originally posted by 701@Jun 13 2015, 04:53 PM<br />Favorite game so far in your career?

Through my SMJHL Career I've had a few fairly intense games. In both of my seasons in the minors, the seasons came down to the last game to determine who would bring home the President's trophy. And then the playoffs are always thrilling but to single one out the game 7 against Vancouver during the S21 Season will always stick with me. Not only was it my first playoff series, but it also came down to game 7 where we would go to overtime and Sean Leonidas would end it in overtime and cap the night off with a hat trick.

Originally posted by 701@Jun 13 2015, 04:53 PM<br />What makes you come back to this site every day?

This site is a great source of entertainment. From the ridiculous shit storms to the public shaming that goes on. It's probably the closest thing I've ever seen to midevil times that I'll ever see. I think what really keeps me coming back is the amount of effort I already put into my player. I feel like if I slowed down on my tpe earning I have failed my team, my player, and myself. It's just one of those things where if your already gone all in its kind of dumb to slow down. There is also the great people. A lot of great personalities like pretty much all of the Russians, and most of the knights!

Originally posted by 701@Jun 13 2015, 04:53 PM<br />Favorite member?

There are many members I've come across on the site that I will remember for a long time. Jala, Cail, and Gorlab were the very first members I had contact with and got me warmed up to the site. If they hadn't been so welcoming I don't know if I stay. Jedi was my first GM and he did a fantastic job of letting me know of all the opportunities for tpe and set me up with a goalie guide that has truly made me the goalie I am today. Fellow rookies Ohtay and Maruisz were awesome and we still keep in contact. Jon, Glu, the Russians, the Stars. There are way too many people to go in depth of without a word count counting towards the cash but Ohtay is one of my faves.

Originally posted by JackCross@Jun 13 2015, 05:01 PM<br />How did you fall into the Shutterstock gig during the off season and did they treat you well?

It was actually an interesting conversation. Now I've never considered myself anything that impressive but they came to me saying that they were reaching out to the sports demographic and hoped by having my face plastered all over their ads that they could draw in some talent. I mean I've done some shameless things for money but this one was so easy. They said my eyes looked weird so they had me put on glasses. Which is totally fine because my beard is on point

Originally posted by JackCross@Jun 13 2015, 05:01 PM<br />What are your thoughts on three BC teams in the SMJHL.

Im American turned turned Having three BC teams isn't a huge deal but I feel like we are missing out on a huge American Market that could really bring in some cash flow. Obviously Canada is crazy over hockey and having an abundance of teams to feed their need is crucial but a few teams south of the border can really help the sport as well as the league. Especially with all the improvements made to scouting and the huge flow of young talent their finding in the smjhl, expanding to a new fan base would be superb rather than trying to battle 3 other teams for a market for the same thing.

Originally posted by Count Chocula@Jun 13 2015, 06:50 PM<br />How do you feel about the state of Toronto?

I belive if I had to put a title on it we would be in a transition season. Since I got here its been a full rebuild. This is the season where we are transitioning to whatever we will become. Will out rebuild transition into a much stronger star studded team? Or will we sputter into mediocrity and be stuck at one round flounders if we even make the playoffs? I believe we are in good shape to transition into a threat and only getting better with the prospects we have just waiting to get a chance to play. The young core will drive this team into the future.

Originally posted by Count Chocula@Jun 13 2015, 06:50 PM<br />Why do you think high quality players aren't signing there?

I honestly have no idea. I mean I was only new when I first reached Toronto so I have little knowledge of the past but right now we're full of promise and just need a few top level talent to carry us over. The people who don't resign are crazy. I mean they played through the worst part where high level talent is being moved for future draft picks and the seasons are long and the off seasons are longer. It's basically hell and now that we have top ranked prospects who are flourishing and primed to take the next step they bail. I don't know. Maybe I'm the weird one.

Originally posted by Count Chocula@Jun 13 2015, 06:50 PM<br />Are you confident in your back ups?

I have the privilege of playing with Kozar in Russia and he's a really solid guy. Very active and kind of weird. He's the textbook back up. He still needs a little developing but we could become a very solid back up if he keeps up his work. If I need a break I think he's more than capable of stepping in and doing an admirable job. The we have Noah Jackson. He was the first goalie I had ever talked to and I still remember his message to me... "Welcome to the League! Congrats on being the second best goalie" Which I find hilarious now as he's now my back up. I honestly didn't even know he was active anymore so I'm sure he can put together a solid outting until Kozar gets out of the minors.

Originally posted by Kel@Jun 13 2015, 06:53 PM<br />Thoughts on Stinson & Sawyer leaving?

As I said above, it's insane to leave just as your rebuilding team is about to explode onto the scene. Sure even if we fizzle out this season they still can't say something like "Well that's why I left". It's not like these are guys coming off their rookie contracts. They were both 1000+ tpe players who left major holes in the team and there weren't many players we could find in free agency we had a legitimate chance at. If Stintson would have stayed our top 4 would have all been 1000 tpe players. Without him we have 3 and a 500 player. Sawyer left and broke up a stellar rookie line in Benson, Zaitsev, and Barbashev who could have easily tore up third lines. It's a chain reaction.

Originally posted by Kel@Jun 13 2015, 06:53 PM<br />Thoughts on management?

For me they are untested. My only experience of them is in full rebuild mode. Most of the deals they have made to pick up the players that they did have greatly improved the team and have given us the pieces to become a power house of a team. Obviously there has been some unfortunate events but for the most part it seems like that was out of his hands. Now that the pieces are in place, this will be the season to find out if management can push us over the top and out strategize the other teams even thought they may have better names. We will hopefully have teammates who step up and can make a name for themselves this season. I believe any of the three rookies can easily make a case for ROTY.

Originally posted by Kel@Jun 13 2015, 06:53 PM<br />How's the locker room been after losing Stinson & Sawyer? Are there more players on the move?

At first it was a shock. Stintson was expected but Sawyer gave us very little notice. It especially hurt when just the day before we found that Knutsen, our S23 first round draft pick, had retired without any reason or notice. That was 3 players who would have played large rolls in our future let alone this season. Soon after that we found out that Ocho wanted to be traded out. For the first 12 hours it was pretty dispairful but then we turned towards the future.

It was hard with everything getting piled on at first but luckily the season is only a few Sims away and that will give us a chance to forget about them and wait for somebody else to step up. As far as I know everybody is committed in Toronto but you never know what will happen when contracts end.

Originally posted by Kel@Jun 13 2015, 06:53 PM<br />After a good rookie season what's next for Harter?

Im hoping that I can just keep building on my recent success. I have a tendency of having a solid sophomore season and I've only improved from my first SMJHL season. The future can only be brighter.

Originally posted by Slappydoodle@Jun 14 2015, 09:18 PM<br />What advice would you have for Ogorodnikov to be successful with the Knights?

Being an SMJHL goalie is all about being efficient. You have 350 tpe to be the best you can while you wait for a chance to play in the SHL. Make sure you have your primaries above your secondaries and have your secondaries above your other skills. Yes. That also means your weakness. Goalie stats are a whole new beast and possibly even more crucial than the skaters since a bad night for a skater is no points. A bad night for a goalie is a loss. Also since your in an "A/B" goalie tandem it is very important to make the most out of every night you have on the ice. Every good game you have only gets you closer to a playoff series and an opportunity to shine.

Originally posted by Slappydoodle@Jun 14 2015, 09:18 PM<br />What do you make of Kelowna's chances in general this season?

I think Kelowna has a really good chance to win 3 in 4 seasons. The preseason can be misleading. Especially when nobody is updated. Updates in the SMJHL are so important because even the smallest stat change can completely change a players build. They had an incredible draft where almost every player who was picked up was active and could have some very nice steals. The two Russian players, Enigmatic and Alucard, will be super star caliber players and they will be joined with company like Adam Abododobe and Randy Randleman coming down for a second campaign, it should be a high octane offense with a mix of two second year goalies, Igor and Ozzy. I don't see them having any issues going through this season with a first round bye.

Originally posted by Slappydoodle@Jun 14 2015, 09:18 PM<br />Is there any particular SHL or NHL goalie you admire and or emulate?

I really admire the worm of Marc-Andre Fluery. He has a great mix of positioning and desperation. I like that he takes the easy shots but still has the skill set and athleticism to get over when he's out of position. When you have a guy whose willing to Sacrifice his body like that and put out the effort than you know you have somebody special. If I compare my style to any bodies it would definetly be his.

Originally posted by Slappydoodle@Jun 14 2015, 09:18 PM<br />What parts of your game are you looking to improve upon this upcoming season?

Through this season I plan on improving my primaries. Hopefully ending up maxing them out and next season really being at my peak in puck stopping ability and then I can start working more with the team and playing out of the net instead of always staying in the blue paint.

<!--QuoteBegin-Slappydoodle@Jun 14 2015, 09:18 PM
Is a platypus a mammal?[/quote]
I believe it is although that isn't my specialty.... I don't know why you are here sir... Can we get security or somebody escort that guy out of here?

How much do you love me?

What are your expectations for this upcoming season?

If you could go to any team and start, besides Toronto, where would you want to go?

When you start your job, will it majorly effect your activity?

Favorite game so far in your career?

What makes you come back to this site every day?

Favorite member?

How did you fall into the Shutterstock gig during the off season and did they treat you well?

What are your thoughts on three BC teams in the SMJHL.

How do you feel about the state of Toronto?

Why do you think high quality players aren't signing there?

Are you confident in your back ups?

Thoughts on Stinson & Sawyer leaving?

Thoughts on management?

How's the locker room been after losing Stinson & Sawyer? Are there more players on the move?

After a good rookie season what's next for Harter?

What advice would you have for Ogorodnikov to be successful with the Knights?

What do you make of Kelowna's chances in general this season?

Is there any particular SHL or NHL goalie you admire and or emulate?

What parts of your game are you looking to improve upon this upcoming season?

Is a platypus a mammal?