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BeanSnoodie · 07-10-2015, 12:40 PM

<div align="center"> [Image: kudles.png]

Kudleychuk (16) celebrating a Power Play Goal with D.J. Stanley (29) against the Vancouver Whalers</div>
With approximately 10 games remaining in the season Travis "Kuddles" Kudleychuk has taken to the microphone for the first time since preseason. A quiet prospect, Kuddles has been making a small name for himself with an impressive rookie campaign that has seen him at points of the season lead all SMJHL players in Face-Off Percentage. The defensive minded rookie has also been a Top Ten point scorer in the league, and has seldom fallen from the Top Five in FO%. Among Centers he is Top 10 in Points and Top Five in Assists. On the Firebirds he leads the team in PK minutes, is second among forwards in blocked shots and Plus/ Minus (trailing only Robinson and Brumm), he also leads all Firebirds' forwards in ice time as he has carved out a role for himself on the Top Line, PK, and playing the point of the PP.

Being drafted 19th Overall in the SMJHL Draft, and at the time considered a reach, Kudleychuk is looking to improve his draft stock and be leapfrog over the names of some players drafted before him in last year's draft.

At this point in time Travis will be taking any questions the media wishes to ask him.

Interview

After being drafted 19th overall into the SMJHL, you have had quite a good rookie campaign, coupled with lots of activity in the media section. Do you feel you are a first round talent? What range in the first round would you expect to go?
I was asked recently where I felt I was going and off a gut reaction I said late first early second, but with expansion I think I am a first round talent. Letâ€™s take a minute to dive into it though. The Top Two picks is pretty obvious. After that we have the Viking who I think will take third overall again. If a team is really hurting for a center and they like me more than they like Fleming I think it is entirely possible that I go 4th overall, thatâ€™s the absolute highest I see myself going. In truth there are about a dozen forwards I think could go before me, as well as a handful of defensemen and a goalie, if things fall the wrong way I could go around 18th which would make me still an early 2nd rounder. I think I will likely go between 7th and 13th overall.

Interview

Were the dog days of the season what you expected? It is a long season and not as eventful as pre-draft/draft, what have you done to keep yourself in the game?
Honestly, I felt they might have been built up a little higher than they actually were. I had the support of a good locker room to keep me busy. After a little while the locker room may have lost a little fire, but I kept myself entertained by getting creative with the media. Being in a tight playoff race has helped a lot as every day matters trying to get a leg up on the Knights.

Interview

PGF has had an up and down season; how would you like to finish the last 12 games?
The plan all season has been to get ourselves the bye and win the division. That is still possible so right now the focus is on winning every game we can, and especially in our final 3 games against Kelowna. Those are the must wins and will really shape the playoffs in the West.

Interview

Was the atmosphere of PGF LR what you were looking for in this league? Where did you rank PGF as a landing spot predraft?
Prince George will always hold a very special spot in my heart. Coming into the draft I had really no expectations, but after the combine in Regina I felt that they left a great impression on me and I feel like I left a really good one on them. They were the team I wanted to go to most and I am so glad everything happened the way that it did. Now the goal is to finish things out strong and bring this season home strong.

Interview

What is your pre game routine?
I know with some hockey purists this comment will leave a bad taste, but I honestly donâ€™t think I have one. I wake up every morning and just sort of go through the motions of my day. Before games I give my locker a good punch; not really a routine, more of just a personal issue I should probably have checked out.

Interview

Any projections for where you will fall in the SHL draft?
Like I said before, I really see myself going mid to late first round. It depends on team needs for sure, but I think I am a Top Ten Forward in this draft and that I have a pretty unique skill set.

Interview

What is your favourite part of being on the Firebirds?
My teammates, easy. Obviously it is great to be on a team with two of the best defenders in the league, along with a top goalie, but it is so many of the guys that donâ€™t get talked about that really make me enjoy the team. DJ and Mario donâ€™t really talk a whole lot, but when they do it is usually something really funny. Cynthia has been a great teammate as well; she has a good sense of humor and is really popular.

Interview

What do you think about EXPANSION, BABY!
Itâ€™s an exciting time. Right in time for the 25th anniversary, and with a huge draft class I think this is going to be something really great for the league. I think the teams will garner a lot of interest from some free agents and should be pretty good right off the bat. What I really like about it though is that it will create some openings in the league for younger players. It looked like true rookies were starting to die out, but with the expansion I am feeling like I have a really good shot at making it to the SHL sooner rather than later. With that being said it is one of my goals to try and win a cup at every level (Prospect tournament, International, SMJHL, and SHL) and if I donâ€™t do that this year I would feel really compelled to stay down for one more season with the Firebirds and try to compete.

tweedlebrumm · 07-10-2015, 01:08 PM

After being drafted 19th overall into the SMJHL, you have had quite a good rookie campaign, coupled with lots of activity in the media section. Do you feel you are a first round talent? What range in the first round would you expect to go? (GM's will ask you this so start thinking now)

Interview

Was the dog days of the season what you expected? It is a long season and not as eventful as pre-draft/draft, what have you done to keep yourself in the game?

Interview

PGF has had an up and down, How would you like to finish the last 12 games?

Interview

Was the atmosphere of PGF LR what you were looking for in this league? Where did you rank PGF as a landing spot predraft?

carousel182 · 07-10-2015, 01:32 PM

What is your pre game routine?

Any projections for where you will fall in the SHL draft?

What is your favourite part of being on the Firebirds?

Blues · 07-10-2015, 01:34 PM

What do you think about EXPANSION, BABY! Exercise

BeanSnoodie · 07-10-2015, 04:03 PM

updated

Nereus · 07-10-2015, 06:28 PM

What would you say is the strongest area of your game?

Interview

What are you going to focus on improving the most in preparation for the playoffs?

Interview

Do you think The Firebirds have a good chance of winning it all this year?

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