05-03-2019, 09:51 PM(This post was last modified: 06-05-2019, 10:24 AM by hhh81.)
Hamilton announces press conference; addresses media
“Good afternoon all. Thank you for attending. My name is Johnny Hamilton.
With some recent changes in my professional life, I thought it would be proper to speak with the media, the fans both here in Colorado and abroad, and the rest of the people in my life.
By this point, you’ve probably heard that @Sami has replaced me as Team Germany Federation Head. I contacted the IIHF head office a few weeks ago before the medal round saying I planned to step down after the S47 tournament. This was not a decision I took lightly. I deeply enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity Germany gave me to lead the federation program for three seasons. While we did not have the successes I had hoped, I think I did the best I could in my first management job. I plan to stay involved to help Sami through this transitional season, as he puts his mark on Team Germany.
I chose to step down to focus on my new role as Co-General Manager for the Colorado Raptors. My time with Germany forced me to spend a great deal of time abroad, scouting and working with international hockey. I want to be able to focus here in Denver, helping our young team take the next steps in our retooling. The goal remains the same for Sebastian Frost and myself: build a SMJHL team that is competitive and helps young players thrive as the next level.
I will now take some questions."
05-03-2019, 09:54 PMluketd Wrote: hi, Pete Peters here from the Peters Local County Times of Petersville Colorado: With Colorado's disappointing couple of seasons, how do you see yourself helping the team get back on track into cup contenders again?
Hey Pete, thanks for coming out. How are Petra and the kids? That's a great question. I think I bring a lot of energy to the position, and willingness to tinker with things. I have neither an ill word or will toward past management; only one other team can say they have 16 playoff wins between S44 and S45 in the SMJHL, and that's St. Louis. They took a very deliberate approach to sticking to things, hoping they'd work out. That isn't my approach--I'm more "throw the shit at the wall and see what sticks" kinda guy. We brought in a ton of new guys this season, and are focusing on trying to retain as many players as we can. We identified three major weaknesses coming into S47: goal scoring ability in the forward ranks, puckmovers at the blue line, and finding our goalie of the future. In Gary [Crudelli], Thorstrom, and Ozolins, we think we were able to address those holes with our first three picks of the draft. I've remained active trying to recruit additional talent that can add to our depth. One thing Colorado has not been great at in the past has been adding impact players outside of the draft. I want to change that, and we certainly have the opportunities for young guys to come in and be gamebreakers.
05-04-2019, 08:14 PMStadiumGambler Wrote: "Do you expect to be selling at the deadline given the current state of the Raptors?"
"When do you expect the next high-profile draft to be? Any truth to the rumours it will be S49, becoming the S50 class for the SHL Draft?"
"Any truth to the rumour you're hiring Dan Curry to replace a member of your coaching staff?"
We'll explore every opportunity to set the team up for future success. The last few years, Frosty has been really conservative with his approach to the trade deadline, hoping to make some noise in the playoffs. That worked two years ago, but notsomuch last year. They always say it takes two to deal--we'll see what the market is and make some decisions at that point.
I hadn't heard those rumors, who's your source? I guess that might make sense for the SHL. Whenever the draft is, we'll be ready. I'm hoping to expand our scouting department, so we can be sure anyone we add to the roster can help us take the next step.
*laughs* No. Anatoli made it very clear when we hired him, that hack Curry isn't welcome in Denver. We stand by our coaching staff, and think Anatoli is a great addition to our roster. The work he's been able to do already has Nastya playing much more confidently. She's been one of our most consistent players and leaders so far this season. Having two Russians on the coaching staff has been really great for her.
Quote:So you are confirming Aleksandr Aleksandrov is serving as goalie coach this season?
I am not. AA has remained around the team and has helped out unofficially with Yurk [Ushakov] and Thorstrom, but I wouldn't call him our goalie coach.
Quote:Will you be taking over as GM now that it is confirmed Frost is stepping down?
I'm happy to state that, yes, I will be taking over as Colorado General Manager. It wasn't my plan when I took the job of Co-GM on, but the opportunity presented itself. I feel prepared to take on this new responsibility, and confident I can build on what Seb started here in Denver. We have a solid nucleus that just needs a little bit of a spark to take the next step.
Quote:It's still a long time until the draft, but what are you looking to add to the Raptors and what is the teama biggest need?
Well, I still want to restructure our defense. Last year it was clear, even with four veteran defenders, we really missed Cassius. We had people step up into larger roles, most notably @nykonax and @Vandy. We're hoping to have both of them back for another season. We had a strong crop of rookies show they can impact all over the ice, and I still have hope some of the others to take big steps in their sophomore campaigns.
At the simplest, I want to add more shooting at forward and better puck moving on the blueline. More importantly than that, we need people who are more than just good players. I"m working with our staff to try to identify really good people to add to our locker room. The locker room in the SMJHL is the most important part, and we're working on building our pretty good team dynamic into an excellent one.
Quote:Colorado has a big problem with scoring goals, is it becaus a lack of elite talent up front?
We have had some great talents come through this time, before and during my time in management. Alexander Selich, Daniel and Parker Smeb, Julio Tokolosh, Knute Knurtsson... these are first rate players and better people. I think some of our challenges come from our gameplan, some comes from personnel, and some just comes from the mental game. We were in a really great spot at the tail end of S45, and our team felt good about themselves. A few weeks later, Alex Selich, Zivan Zidek, Konny Voloshin, Daniel Smeb, and Chico Smeb were all gone, called up to the SHL. That's three top rate centers and our star winger for the last two years, plus a defender who has shown already for Calgary he had more to his game than he showed in his rookie season in the J. Those losses seemed to have some of the team snakebitten, and created a skill vacuum for a season or two. I think, now that more of those S46 guys are moving on, we have a chance to take another step forward. Calogero Crudelli has shown he can score some highlight reel goals. I'm excited to see him start the year flanking Knute Knurtsson.
Quote:@jason97 What sort of changes will there be in the locker for next season?
We're testing out this D&D campaign right now, so I hope to keep that going. We might try having occasional game nights, maybe like Jackbox or something similar. Really, the main goal will be to keep doing what's worked in sharing TPE opportunities, job opportunities, etc and having fun, casual conversation. I'm always open to suggestions, so if you have any, let me know!
Quote:Does Triple H enjoy playing the game?
Y'know, in my time as a player agent, I had a chance to meet the famous wrestler a time or two during events in Philadelphia. He loves the game of hockey, being from New England. I don't know if he's ever laced up the skates, but he's definitely a fan. I believe I heard he went to a Wolfpack game or two last season.
Quote:What is your strategy for the upcoming SMJHL draft?
Our main priority is to find players that want to be in Colorado and help us take the next steps. Positional fit and competitiveness play a part, but I think even more important is finding young people that fit with our current nucleus. That includes attracting recreates that fit our mission and vision of a top notch organization, and are ready to help mentor first generation players. We will certainly take a long look at the defenders in this draft class, but beyond that, it's going to largely be best player available.
Quote:Is mayonnaise an instrument?
Don't be ridiculous. Next question.
Quote:Is there punch and pie in the Raptors' LR with you in charge now?
These young guys, well other than @Julio Tokolosh, really take care of their bodies. I think Cassius Darrow's spartan lifestyle and regimented diet really rubbed off on some of the younger guys. For example, I don't think I've seen Eric Vanderberg eat dessert in two seasons. If we can have some success next year, I'm sure we might be able to coax some of the guys into a sweet treat of their liking on the GM's tab!
Quote:How do you plan to maximize activity on the Raptors?
Scouting is huge. Last year, we had the sort of hits and misses you'd expect from any draft, especially my first really running the show. Frost liked to hand off the draft planning to his Assistant GM a lot, so I immediately had the opportunity to make an impact. I plan to keep working hard to have touch points with as many of the first generation players as possible, to see who might fit in well with our group. I'll keep doing what I've been doing, reaching out from time to time to our rookies 1:1 to see how things are going and if there's any random questions they have. Beyond that, I'll just keep empowering the veterans to take the lead and help guide new users.
Quote:Who is the most underrated player in Colorado, and why are they poised to make a splash next season?
I've been really impressed with Emeka Valentine-Okoli @ProjectSaint this year. While his production doesn't always show it, it's a first rate talent and a better person.
Quote:What do you look for in a prospect when scouting for the SMJHL Draft?
Activity is certainly important. We take a look at how involved this user has been with updates, media, graphics, etc, in hopes that past behavior reflects future behavior. We also put a lot of focus on 1:1 interviews. I've been on the phone practically non-stop lately talking with draft prospects, and trying to see who might fit well in our group. I feel those two elements really go 50/50 in our evaluation process, though I'm reluctant to commit to a number.
Quote:Speaking of drafts, will the Colorado Raptors announce a craft beer partner this year? With so many options in the beer triangle, how will you ever choose?
We will not. In the past the Colorado Raptors have stuck strongly to an alcohol-free advertising strategy, due to the youth of our athletes. I will certainly speak with the President and CFO of the franchise to see if they have decided to go a different way, but as far as I know Colorado Raptors games remain a sober venue. The Raptor Races and Bouncy Jungle will remain a fixture of our pregame festival entertainment, however.
Quote:I think we're ready for grading, folks!
Thank you karey, OrbitingDeath Ragnar, and sköldpaddor for sigs!
hi, Pete Peters here from the Peters Local County Times of Petersville Colorado: With Colorado's disappointing couple of seasons, how do you see yourself helping the team get back on track into cup contenders again?
Who is the most underrated player in Colorado, and why are they poised to make a splash next season?
What do you look for in a prospect when scouting for the SMJHL Draft?
Speaking of drafts, will the Colorado Raptors announce a craft beer partner this year? With so many options in the beer triangle, how will you ever choose?
hhh81
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jason97
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What sort of changes will there be in the locker for next season?
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