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.