My name is Bob McManaman and I am one of the new sports writers for The Spec - your online home for news in Hamilton. And I am very lucky to have an early interview with new Steelhawk Tim Viola. First of all Tim, welcome to Hamilton!

Thank you! I’ve lived in Boston my whole life so it will be very nice to call somewhere new home. I can’t wait to take in all the sights, sounds, smells, and everything about this city. I’m excited!



Tim Viola holding up his new team colors, and boy does he look good in them!



What were you thoughts as you saw yourself slip out of the 1st Round and part way through the 2nd Round?

It was tough. I thought I was going to be a 1st Round pick. At the very worst I thought I’d be chose with the 1st or 2nd pick in the 2nd Round, so to keep sliding was really hard to sit back and watch. It was a huge relief to hear my name called at 16. All in all, I am where I’m supposed to me and I wouldn’t have wanted to be drafted by anyone else. I’m home now.


Tim Viola, shortly after hearing his name called off the board at #16 by the Hamilton Steelhawks



How does it feel to be a member of the Hamilton Steelhawks?

I’m thrilled, absolutely thrilled! I truly couldn’t be happier. Seriously, what more could I ever ask for? I’m part of a young team that is building for the future with a great GM and great teammates, in a great city that loves it’s hockey. I hope I’m here for a long time to come!


As die hard fans of the Hamilton Steelhawks, we look forward to years of seeing this hulking blueliner on the ice in the ‘Hawks sweater.



Speaking of your teammates, who are you most excited to play with?

Haha oh man, can I just say all of them and move on to the next question? That probably wouldn’t make you happy huh? Ok. Gosh, starting with Kyler Lange, in the NWJHL, I always wanted to be better than him and he is such a tremendous player. Now I have the possibility of playing as a pairing with him? It’s a dream come true. I can learn from vets like Kevin Lebacon and the incredibly good looking Michael Astorino. Hopefully Asto can take me out and I can be his wingman and we can pick up some of the beautiful Hamilton ladies. And then to play alongside forwards like Jamie Rose and Anton Wagner? Those two tore up the NWJHL all year long last year. Come on! It’s going to be an amazing time. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I love my team.


Welcome your S7 Hamilton Steelhawks rookies. These were the top 4 players (from L to R): Tim Viola, Kyler Lange, Jamie Rose, and Anton Wagner. We expect very big things from these four youngsters for years to come.



Tim, well I for one can’t wait to see you get on the ice with your new teammates, you’re heading out to play for Team UK in the upcoming IHF World Tournament correct?

Yeah, yeah I am. I’m looking forward to playing. It was a true honor to get chosen to play for Team UK and I am going to make the most of every moment I have on the ice and hopefully we can take home the gold. There were a lot of great players chosen and a whole lot more left off the team and so it is really special to be one of the few chosen. I’m looking forward to the tournament. And then after that I will be back home for training camp and the start of the SHL season. It really is a very exciting time in my life and I cannot wait to get started. And maybe I can be on the ice and get Asto his first SHL goal. Stranger things have happened! I’ll be checking in soon Bob, thanks for taking the time to interview me! Much love! Happy New Year!


We look forward to many goal celebrations like this one from the young crop of new Steelhawks like Tim Viola, Kyler Lange, and Anton Wagner.

STEAL OF THE DRAFT!!!!!!

Nice write up viola have fun in the SHL man can't wait to see you on the ice

Normand Marineau || C || #42 || Colorado Raptors || Team France || S79
Name: Normand Marineau
Age: 19
Birthplace: Saint Pierre et Miquelon, France
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 195 lbs
Number: 42
------------------------------------------------------------
Career Statistics:
SHL Regular Season:
TBD
SHL Playoffs:
TBD
SMJHL Regular Season:
S79 | 66 GP | 23 G | 21 A | 44 P | +8 | 1 PPP | 18 PIM | 122 SOG | 66 HIT | 40 SB | 54 TA | 54.9% FO
S78 | 66 GP | 18 G | 29 A | 47 P | +6 | 6 PPP | 24 PIM | 189 SOG | 45 HIT | 31 SB | 68 TA | 53.7% FO
SMJHL Playoffs:
S79 | 21 GP | 4 G | 8 A | 12 P | -2 | 0 PPP | 6 PIM | 36 SOG | 16 HIT | 7 SB | 14 TA | 57.1% FO
S78 | 13 GP | 1 G | 4 A | 5 P | -9 | 0 PPP | 2 PIM | 27 SOG | 12 HIT | 5 SB | 4 TA | 42.4% FO
------------------------------------------------------------
International Career:
IIHF Round Robin:
TBD
IIHF Medal Round:
TBD
WJC Round Robin:
S78 | 12 GP | 1 G | 3 A | 4 P | +0 | 0 PPP | 2 PIM | 11 SOG | 6 HIT | 2 SB | 5 TA | 60.3% FO
WJC Medal Round:
S78 | 1 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | -1 | 0 PPP | 0 PIM | 0 SOG | 0 HIT | 1 SB | 1 TA | 44.4% FO
------------------------------------------------------------
Career Earnings and Draft Selections:
Signed a 3 year, $9,000,000 Contract with the Minnesota Monarchs in S80
Signed a 1 year, $3,000,000 ELC Contract with the Minnesota Monarchs in S79
Drafted 1st Round, 14th Overall to the Minnesota Monarchs in the S79 SHL Entry Draft
Signed a 1 year, $5,000,000 Rookie Contract with the Colorado Raptors in S78
Drafted 2nd Round, 17th Overall to the Colorado Raptors in the S78 SMJHL Entry Draft
------------------------------------------------------------
Awards and Achievements:
Won the Colorado Raptors S79 Alexnder Zajac Trophy for Most Dedicated Player
Won the Colorado Raptors S78 Cassius Darrow Trophy for Most Outstanding Rookie

If astorino says steal of the draft, them u must be the steal

Normand Marineau || C || #42 || Colorado Raptors || Team France || S79
Name: Normand Marineau
Age: 19
Birthplace: Saint Pierre et Miquelon, France
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 195 lbs
Number: 42
------------------------------------------------------------
Career Statistics:
SHL Regular Season:
TBD
SHL Playoffs:
TBD
SMJHL Regular Season:
S79 | 66 GP | 23 G | 21 A | 44 P | +8 | 1 PPP | 18 PIM | 122 SOG | 66 HIT | 40 SB | 54 TA | 54.9% FO
S78 | 66 GP | 18 G | 29 A | 47 P | +6 | 6 PPP | 24 PIM | 189 SOG | 45 HIT | 31 SB | 68 TA | 53.7% FO
SMJHL Playoffs:
S79 | 21 GP | 4 G | 8 A | 12 P | -2 | 0 PPP | 6 PIM | 36 SOG | 16 HIT | 7 SB | 14 TA | 57.1% FO
S78 | 13 GP | 1 G | 4 A | 5 P | -9 | 0 PPP | 2 PIM | 27 SOG | 12 HIT | 5 SB | 4 TA | 42.4% FO
------------------------------------------------------------
International Career:
IIHF Round Robin:
TBD
IIHF Medal Round:
TBD
WJC Round Robin:
S78 | 12 GP | 1 G | 3 A | 4 P | +0 | 0 PPP | 2 PIM | 11 SOG | 6 HIT | 2 SB | 5 TA | 60.3% FO
WJC Medal Round:
S78 | 1 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | -1 | 0 PPP | 0 PIM | 0 SOG | 0 HIT | 1 SB | 1 TA | 44.4% FO
------------------------------------------------------------
Career Earnings and Draft Selections:
Signed a 3 year, $9,000,000 Contract with the Minnesota Monarchs in S80
Signed a 1 year, $3,000,000 ELC Contract with the Minnesota Monarchs in S79
Drafted 1st Round, 14th Overall to the Minnesota Monarchs in the S79 SHL Entry Draft
Signed a 1 year, $5,000,000 Rookie Contract with the Colorado Raptors in S78
Drafted 2nd Round, 17th Overall to the Colorado Raptors in the S78 SMJHL Entry Draft
------------------------------------------------------------
Awards and Achievements:
Won the Colorado Raptors S79 Alexnder Zajac Trophy for Most Dedicated Player
Won the Colorado Raptors S78 Cassius Darrow Trophy for Most Outstanding Rookie

Originally posted by Cornelius The 3rd@Dec 31 2011, 04:18 PM
If astorino says steal of the draft, them u must be the steal

ggnore

I love Timmy V.

Originally posted by Rose@Dec 31 2011, 04:20 PM
I love Timmy V.

i love him more

Thanks for the kind words Goose, I look forward to doing my best to shutting you and your line down this season!

And Asto - I may be developing a man crush on you. Roadtrips this season will be crazy!

Originally posted by Rose@Dec 31 2011, 04:20 PM
I love Timmy V.

I love J-Rosey!

WOOOO TIMMY :wub:

Originally posted by Cornelius The 3rd@Dec 31 2011, 04:18 PM
If astorino says steal of the draft, them u must be the steal

Steal of the draft was 7th overall imo

great read

Hey Viola, imma let you finish but Rachel Belmont was the biggest steal of all time!


(lol I had to. Still though, great junior season bud and hope you do well in Ham)

Rachel who?

Originally posted by Rose@Dec 31 2011, 05:23 PM
Rachel who?