Prompt 2

Hey Cassius, Seattle has been effective so far this season and is setting themselves up as a top team in the SHL, but you haven't performed well. What do you think is affecting your game?
We are playing well, for sure. The team has been growing over the last few seasons, and the front office made some moves in the offseason to help improve our depth. Cale [Amundsen] has come in and is performing well in net, and Hobbes and Pritchard have been everything that was advertised. It takes a little bit of time for new players to really find a rhythm when they switch teams. We feel good about the start to the season.

Does the captaincy put extra pressure on you to perform? Many from your Buffalo days doubted you could step up in the biggest moments.
Those talking points have no merit. I've been in Seattle as captain for... what has it been, 8 seasons now? Commentary from a decade ago is foolish. You should be embarrassed for even asking the question. No one has ever doubted my work ethic.

Seattle has been rumored to be connected to acquiring Liam Slate from Edmonton. Can you comment?
I trust the management to manage the team. Mr. Smalls is a smart man, and he's been a successful manager for a long time. I can't speak to any players who aren't in our locker room right now. My focus is with this team we have, and helping our younger players continue to develop and learn how to win in the SHL. I've never speculated about trades before today, and I won't start now.

How much longer do you think you'll play? You are having one of the weakest seasons of your SHL career, and it seems like you and Pojo Biscuit are struggling on the ice.
It can be tough to change linemates after you've gotten into a pattern with other players. First his first two seasons, Kermit Murphy was cemented to my pairing as he learned the fundamentals of playing top defensive minutes. I learned his tendencies and he was familiar with mine. It was a comfortable season. Coming into this year, coach wanted to try something different and split up Dee and Pojo. This isn't my best year, sure. This also isn't the first time in my career it's taken a little time to adjust to a highly physical defender on my left side. In juniors I spent half a season with J.P. Gay, who plays a similar style. Reporters made a big deal about two kids back then learning how to play together. I think we'll be fine, we are both professionals. The team is winning games, and I will do what I've always done in practice and in games to help the team win.

But how much longer do you plan to play, Cassius?
I will play as long as I feel I can compete and meet my own standards. The coaches and management have told me I have a place in Seattle as long as I wish to play. I still feel good on the ice. I also don't plan to play forever. I will walk away on my own terms. For now, I may have lost a step physically from my earlier days. I'm still the same competitor I've always tried to be. That hasn't changed, nor has my goal. This team can win a Challenge Cup, and I hope to help them to that goal. No more questions.