Tim Viola discusses the upcoming SHL draft and his future with Toucher and Rich.





Toucher: And we’re back! We have Boston Battalion defenseman Tim Viola back in studio with us after a long and pretty NWJHL season. Tim, what are your thoughts on the season?


Tim: Haha, you can’t start off with an easier question huh? Ok well, obviously there is a lot of disappointment coming out of the season. I really thought we had a chance to make an impact in the playoffs, unfortunately there was an Impact on us. Montreal is a great team and the way they battled back from a 3-1 hole was pure grit. We fought and played as hard as we could but just couldn’t seem to find the right solution. Hats off to Montreal. Overall, I’m happy with the season. I think I’ve had a great season. As a team, our record doesn’t really give a true picture. We battled hard all year long. And that’s all you can ever ask hard out of yourself and teammates. That is first and foremost. I loved going to battle every single game with my teammates around me. Personally, I felt like I had a pretty strong first year campaign. I’m a numbers person. I think you can tell a lot by looking at statistics. I was happy with the numbers I put up this year. I had 14 points, I’d like to bump that number up next year and am working hard to get there. I was happy with the number of shots I blocked, takeaways, and hits I had. I thought I had a few too many penalty minutes and will definitely look to be more disciplined next year.


Rich: What was with the silence all season? You seemed to keep everything with the team close to the hip. Especially as the captain. What was going on in the Battalion locker room?


Tim: I love my team. I will always bleed maize and blue. The Boston Battalion will always be my team. I love my teammates and GM. JT is the best GM in the NWJHL, hands down. He tried to make moves to make the team better now and in the future. I loved playing with guys like Rashad, Cole, and Doug. It was tough to see Doug get traded, really tough. He’s a class act. And I look forward to catching up with him soon depending on where we both go in the draft. Tobias was a great pickup for us. He is a tremendous player. And he’s going to be a star at the next level. And Andy was a brilliant late season acquisition. I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s a great guy off the ice and dazzling on it. No team should hesitate in drafting him. And teams that pass up on him will be making a huge mistake.

The silence came because I was really, really focused. I wanted to be the best player I could be and not flood my name out there with pointless interview after pointless interview. Maybe I was right, and maybe I was wrong. But I want to be the best hockey player in the SHL I can be. I don’t need a reality TV show or a lot of press. I just want to be an asset to whoever drafts me.



Tim Viola (right) is a fan and teammate favorite for his never say die attitude on the ice. Andy Bugelli (left) certainly seemed to appreciated it here as Viola assisted on one of his many, late-season goals.


Toucher: Ok, so lets talk about the upcoming SHL draft. Where do you see yourself going? Are there teams you won’t play for? Spill the beans!


Tim: Haha ok, I’ll do my best. To be honest, I have no idea where I’m going to go. Do I hope I’m taken in the first round? Of course I do. I feel like I should be up there with some of the top players like Elias Armia, Rashad, Rachel Belmont, and Anton Wagner. And I do feel like I am a top 3 defenseman in the NWJHL. But we’ll see what happens. If I’m taken in the first round, that’s great. If not, I know I need to work and get better and make myself a better defenseman. I will always work to get better no matter if I’m selected first or last. And I am happy to go to whatever team selects me. I am going to work to make my team and teammates better and win championships. That’s what matters to me. So no, there are no teams that I would be upset if chosen by them. I’m just honored to be considered an SHL caliber player.



One thing is for sure, Tim Viola will never be caught laying around on the job...except for that one time.


Rich: Ok Tim, we’re running out of time. We just wanted to say thanks for a great season. It’s been fun to watch you and the Battalion this season. Anything you want to leave us with?


Tim: Haha thanks Rich! Gosh, this season has been a lot of fun. I’m sad to be leaving Boston. Boston is my home. And it always will be. Who knows, maybe someday there will be an SHL Boston expansion team and I can come back here. But I’m looking forward to the next stage of my career. I’m ready and I’m excited and I will certainly be working hard to make you and all of New England proud. And I will for sure be back to come on the radio with you guys. I just want to say thank you to JT for drafting me and giving me a great start to my career and a big thank you to all of my teammates. Much love boys, much love!

Go :battalion:

Good article... :comets: maybe?

Nice work Tim.

Thanks guys! I'm really looking forward to the draft and season 7.