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Toivo · 03-03-2017, 10:57 PM

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Ready for grading. Word Count 4000

New England Wolfpack rookie defender Toivo Kosonen takes part in a mid-season presser following a team practice. Financial hardship has seen Kosonen taking odd jobs and talking to fringe media to supplement his income. The first reporter to speak with Kosonen is a familiar face, Skipp Santos radio host of the Halifax Raiders radio coverage.

<div align="center">Before Kosonen comes out of the locker room, the reporters are shown a TV where a local New England news show is being played.

Breaking News 3/3/1

Anchor: Wolfpack fans, we have just gotten word that rookie Wolfpack Toivo Kosonen has signed a new contract extension. The new deal will see Kosonen stay for an extra season following this one. Kosonen has 21 points through 37 games, thatâ€™s tied for 7th in rookie scoring which is quite impressive for the young defender. We just spoke with General Manager Rainbow Dash.

Audio statement from New England Wolfpack General Manager Rainbow Dash is played

GM Rainbow Dash: We are thrilled to extend Kosonen. The new deal includes a salary of $3,000,000 and a No Trade Clause.

Kosonen walks out of the locker room and some of the reporters congratulate him on the new deal. </div>

Skipp Santos: Word has just gotten out that you have signed and extension to stay in New England, can you shed any more light on that deal?

A: Yeah, I just signed an extension that will see me stay with the Wolfpack through Season 34. I think management decided that going forward they want me, and I enjoy my time here as well. I didnâ€™t want to commit long term because Iâ€™d like the flexibility of taking off to Finland if I ever get homesick or what not. I managed to work out a No Trade Clause, which Iâ€™m thankful for; management was very easy to work with. I know that it sort of looks bad like Iâ€™m not loyal to New England, but itâ€™s not like that, I am. There are times where a team can change dramatically, and just because Iâ€™m into this current team doesnâ€™t mean much if all of a sudden half the team goes inactive. With New England doing so well, I was really trying hard to make it guaranteed that I would be apart of the team. The No Trade Clause is there to keep me apart of New England, and hopefully it conveys to all of the locker room and the fans that I am planning on staying in New England.

Skipp Santos: What kind of adjustments have you had to make going from SMJHL to SHL?

A:Going from a big fish in the SMJHL to a small fish in the SHL was the biggest adjustment. You notice the difference in speed and strength overall. I have gotten used to getting hit harder, and being defended against better. The road is tougher, but halfway through this season Iâ€™m pretty used to it already. We are going to a lot more cities now, in the juniors we had 7 other places weâ€™d go into and play, now we see 15 other cities. Itâ€™s different, getting used to all these new cities and fan bases, some of them have their own unique cultures that you have to learn and get used to. A lot goes into getting used to the new places. There are sometimes complex adjustments that you must undergo. We see this all the time when we go to a new city for the first time, and it affects your play somewhat. When Iâ€™m out there in an unfamiliar territory, itâ€™s different, I can see my play is somewhat affected and I imagine if you looked up the numbers, theyâ€™d back it up as well. So, what exactly can we gather from all that? Iâ€™m not entirely sure, but itâ€™s just something you have to get used to over your rookie season. Next season, Iâ€™ll have all this down pat, and I think my play will be elevated.

Skipp Santos: What remaining goals do you have for this season?

A:Iâ€™d like to see myself get some more production, helping the forwards get their goals. Weâ€™ll see, I feel like Iâ€™ve done well, was leading the Wolfpack in shots blocked for nearly half the season. Thatâ€™s always pretty good. Iâ€™m playing the minutes that I desired. Iâ€™m averaging over 19 minutes a night, which I think is pretty good for a rookie defender. There are some on the team playing less, and I think that speaks to the coaching staffâ€™s faith in me as a player. They see me as a guy thatâ€™s not going to go out there and turnover the puck, give it away, on every play. That means a lot, it builds up my confidence, and I think having high confidence improves your moral, and having high morale raises your overall.

Skipp Santos: New England has a strong team at the moment, first in the standings, how do you feel about the upcoming playoffs and how are you preparing?

A: The playoffs are going to be weird, thereâ€™s a lot of parity in the East this season. Thereâ€™s no telling who we will end up facing in the 1st round (if we make it, which we definitely should). Seriously, just last week one of the top-3 teams in the East werenâ€™t even looking like theyâ€™d make the playoffs. Outside of New England, itâ€™s pretty unstable. So we could sit down and look at the seeding, and try to develop some strategies, but it might be totally different when the season ends. Thatâ€™s why I think weâ€™re just showing up every game and playing our best, that way we can figure out the weakness of every team that we might end up facing. New England doesnâ€™t want an early exit, or even a 2nd round exit like last season. Last season, I finished my games in the juniors, and then GM Rainbow Dash called me up right away. We went on to face Manhattan, and the way my first few games in the SHL, all 4 losses in a row, really stung. We donâ€™t want a repeat of that, weâ€™re going to do everything we can to prevent something like that from occurring again.

Skipp Santos: Has anyone reached out to you since the announcement of the new contract?

A: Yes Skipp, I have heard from fellow Wolfpack, players around the league have been texting me, and a few General Managers have congratulated me. I have built a good reputation with a lot of people around the league, so all of these congratulations are rolling in. People are happy to see other players happy, and doing well with the teams theyâ€™ve been with for a while. Iâ€™ acknowledge, Iâ€™m still a rookie and all, but Iâ€™ve been with this team for 2 and Â½ seasons already. I have participated in training camps and all sorts of events.

Skipp Snatos: Coming to America, you are exposed to sports you probably haven't experienced before. Are you getting into American sports more?

A: Yeah, I went to a few New England Patriots games this season. I'm glad for the region that New England won the super bowl. Everyone's all excited about that, and the Wolfpack actually got to meet Tom Brady at one point. Tom Brady is kind of old, but like everyone says, he's probably a Greatest of All Time at this point. For other sports, I attended a Boston Red Sox game, then I went to see a game at Yankee Stadium, those were pretty fun.

daBenchwarmer

"Hi Mr. Kosonen, Jeremy Tylers from the Boston Globe with a few questions.

Jeremy Tylers: First of all, congratulations on making the Wolfpack's roster, is there anything you look forward to with the season now underway?

A: I am looking forward to making my name known around the league. Iâ€™m sure Iâ€™m on some peopleâ€™s radars, but I want it known league wide that Iâ€™m a serious player with big plans. My future is looking pretty good at the moment, the Wolfpack are as strong as ever, we should finish strong and then start off as a top seed in the playoffs. In the playoffs, I definitely want to get some more experience playing these games. I have 4 SHL playoff games under my belt, all of them losses. I want my next 4 playoff games to be wins. I donâ€™t want a long long playoffs, 16 games are enough.

Jeremy Tylers: Who in the SHL are you most excited to face off against?

A: Team wise? It would be Portland. There are many of my friends on Portland, a lot of brothers from Halifax, so itâ€™ll be interesting to see how those games playout. We all have very professional careers going on, so weâ€™re never going to take it easy on each other just because weâ€™re friends and we have history that goes back. The Admirals have a bright future, and I imagine theyâ€™ll grow into a serious team relatively soon. Itâ€™ll be interesting to see the different battles we find ourselves in.

Who's the best locker room presence on the Wolfpack?

A: That Bilbo is a wild child.

Can you give your opinion on the whole situation between the Portland Admirals and your former teammate Reed Laing? As well, could you comment on the fight between Laing and your other former teammate Isaac Kaiser?

A: Portland had a general idea of the type of player they were getting with Reed Laing. I donâ€™t think Reed Laing likes to make GMâ€™s mad, but rather doesnâ€™t like sticking with one team for a huge term. I think itâ€™s crazy that when a GM offers an ultimatum like sign an extension a season early or you will be released. I donâ€™t understand the thought process of that very well. Iâ€™m very concerned about reports of Kaiser and Laing fighting, hopefully Laing didnâ€™t beat Kaiser up too badly. Kaiser is an excellent addition to the locker room. He is one of SHLâ€™s top chirpers, so itâ€™s easy to see how heâ€™s capable of escalating a situation like that.

In order to return to the Challenge Cup Finals, in your own opinion, what do you think the Wolfpack need to do?

A: The Wolfpack will need a strong superstar forward to either emerge or come to the Wolfpack. Weâ€™re lacking the Theo Kaneâ€™s of the world. Weâ€™ve been doing pretty well so far, but I think ultimately thatâ€™s the biggest thing weâ€™re missing. Itâ€™s not a super big need, but itâ€™s something that we donâ€™t currently have. I wouldnâ€™t really go out of my way, and give up anything big to land a superstar like that, so I guess itâ€™s not worth it to really dwell on.

What do you believe you need to do in order to progress your development?

A: My defensive and offensive tangibles have steadily risen up to where I need them, I think I need to work on some of the others like puck handling and endurance. Weâ€™ll see where it goes, but I have confidence in my development. The trainers in New England give the top-notch advice and instructions, it has really changed since our days in Halifax. The resources these SHL teams have are great, and you can really notice the vast differences. I feel strongly that I will need to continue training with all my teammates, and world class trainers. There's a lot to improve on, but we'll get there over the next feel seasons. I definitely see the areas I can improve on, there all over like skating, puck handling. I feel for the moment my defense and scoring are where they need to be. That's come from all the training camps, all the special equipment I've gone out of my way to get.

Thank you! Good luck in this season!"

Jenny

What's the best thing about living in Mia Landvik's house? The worst thing?

A: The best part of living in the Landvik residence is having a couple cool teammates that are both defenders and good people. Mia Landvik, Cara Hohenberg, and Toivo Kosonen; sounds like Threeâ€™s Company, doesnâ€™t it? There are a lot of great activities the three man gang gets into like nightcrawlers and what not. Trying to hone in on the worst aspect? Iâ€™m not quite sure, I imagine itâ€™s the fact that Mia Landvik is kind of moping around, sulky almost? Iâ€™m pretty cool, and Iâ€™m just sitting around like whatâ€™s up. The other people say Iâ€™m going around brooding? Thatâ€™s not me, Iâ€™m very happy. If I ever hear that come up on an interview, they better watch out, I might get them for libel. Iâ€™d hate to go down that route, it might be make life around Miaâ€™s house a bit weird. Miaâ€™s ok but sometime sheâ€™s wild, if she wants to catch these hands, then we can get to that with those damn brooding comments. Nah, but itâ€™s pretty cool in the madhouse, nothing too crazy ever happening.

Kaisonious

I heard a rumour that Toivo is slang for toilet brush...any truth to this?

A: Toivo translate to hope in Finnish. Obviously, my parents felt like they needed hope. But it went beyond that, because 18 years later, the nation of Finland needed hope. I came in and signed up as part of the Finland National Ice Hockey team, they desperately needed defenders, and in our first season together, Finland won the Gold Medal. It was quite the experience, and I hope that the hope that was promised was delivered.

With most of the Eastern conference upgrading before the trade deadline, how do you feel about Halifaxs chances come playoff time?

A: Halifax had a strong season last year as well, but in the playoffs we didnâ€™t finish strong. I blame this on the bye week. Our players came in with a little rust on our legs because we hadnâ€™t played in so long. It wasnâ€™t the same as the previous playoffs. I think we will do well, Halifax has a lot of good things going for them as well. We will have to see how they continue to do against these teams that are building up their teams and buying pieces just for the playoffs. Thereâ€™s a lot of competition in the East. The two best teams, Halifax and Montreal, are in the same conference, slugging it out constantly. Weâ€™ll see who makes it to the Eastern Conference Finals, and who has to go through the first round. Iâ€™m not over confident, but I think we will fare well against either of the other playoff teams in the East. Only time will tell, and that time is approaching quickly which is always exciting.

What was your biggest accomplishment this season?

A: I would say making the powerplay units. I started out on the 1st power play unit, and that was quite the experience. Iâ€™m on the 2nd one now, which is still nice. I have room to grow, to make that 1st power play unit. Making the power play was a top goal, i wanted to be someone the team could rely on to quarterback the PP. I have been playing well, but you know, thatâ€™s perhaps because of how well and strong my teammates are. New England kind of makes it easy to look pretty good out there.

What do you think needs to improve most in your game for it to reach that next level?

I have to focus on some of the other things right now, like increasing my puck handling and skating. Those are things Iâ€™m looking forward to increasing. There are a lot others of course, but I think for this moment, I have my scoring and defensive abilities where they need to be. I could work on getting my passing up too. Iâ€™d like to get strength up too, but itâ€™s not the most important stat that Iâ€™m worried about increasing right now. Weâ€™ll see how that goes.

Who's your favourite teammate to play with in NEW?

A: After battling with Cara Hohenberg for a few seasons, itâ€™s been fun not having to compete against her. But I have played with Jasper Clayton and Mia Landvik, theyâ€™re both great players who have a good amount of experience and training. It makes it easier when your pairing partner can shut down the other teams so well. There are a lot of people on the roster that can make you look so good. Bure is a top talent, Russell is great, Makinen, Dieter. These players are great, and playing with them is always something special. You can be sure they'll go out of their way to help out a teammate. And the team is so welcoming, they've done a lot to make me feel like I belong, and that I'm important. Russell has told me a few times how happy he is I'm on the blueline, and that makes me feel very loyal to him and this team.

Do they ever let you pick the locker room music? What do you play?

A: Yeah to get hyped up before games I like to play some hyped up remixes of my favorite songs. Ones thatâ€™ll get everyone excited and pumped before the game. I think having a hyped up team, one thatâ€™s excited and moving around helps a lot when weâ€™re going out there onto the ice to start the game. The mood of the team is really important, so if you have the right mindset going into the game, itâ€™ll help out. You go out there and youâ€™re not excited, not hyped, then things are going to go bad.

Zombiewolf

What have you found frustrating about you game this season?

A: Iâ€™m not lighting up the scoreboard as much as I hoped. Thatâ€™s okay though, I am only just a rookie defenseman, but I think eventually weâ€™ll see what happens. I really wish I was putting up points and getting 1st stars every night, but that's not the case. Reality is different, and it's frustrating at times. But coaching staff have told me countless times to not let it get me down. There's too many good things for it to get me down. So while yes, I'm frustrated at times, this season is very rewarding, and I'm super stoked to see how it plays out. Sometimes you have to be aggressive, but we'll see how it goes from now on.

Do you have a rival?

A: I consider my rivals all the defensemen of the S30 draft class. We had a great draft class, I feel, and itâ€™s fun to compete against all of them. There are so many good players, and I respect a ton of the them. It's always fun to have healthy competition.

What are your goals for this season?

A: I want to win the Challenge Cup. New England is pretty strong at the moment, and Iâ€™d say we have a good chance at winning it. I will do whatever it takes to help out with those efforts. Weâ€™re going to have to give it our all, Iâ€™m going to have to give it my all, but I have confidence in myself and the team. Everyone wants to win the cup, but New England really wants to make it 3 cups in 4 seasons.

What are you goals for your career?

A: I really want to emulate the career of Jasper Clayton. Heâ€™s been a stud for so long, and I really look up to his career as inspiration for an offensive defenseman. At the end of my career, I want to be remembered as someone who really put it all out there and could be the difference maker in a game. I'm beginning to do that now, just the other day against Portland. I laid the puck up in the net during the shootout to win the game. Wahlgren couldn't figure out how to stop it. I'm stepping up where the team needs me, that's one of my top goals, and the team has been appreciating it a lot.

How has the Wolfpack been treating you?

A: The Wolfpack have been amazing. I have developed some great relationships with many of my teammates. We have a great relationship, and it really makes it very rewarding to go out onto the ice and do well. Everyone is so nice, including the management. Management wanted to lock me up ( I assume) to a longer term contract, but I wasn't really feeling that secure about a lot of term, so they met me with my wants and I couldn't be happier. They do everything you need them to, and more. It's a great organization that I can't recommend more for a lot of people. I've been included in all sorts of things that have improved

Waffles or Pancakes?

A: I am a waffles guy. Pouring syrup on pancakes, it just runs anywhere it wants. Pouring syrup on a waffle it goes in the holes. Not to mention, the crispness of a waffle is top notch. I like that Waffle house is 24/7 and pretty cheap. The food isn't always the greatest, but what do you expect when it's 24/7 and cheap. Kosonen likes waffles. There seems to be a lot of debate and discussion over which are better. If you want P4P substance, I guess I recommend pancakes. If you actually want a good meal, I'd go with waffles. One of my Wolfpack teammates, bilbo, or illbo as I say, is very fond of waffles. Bilbo makes a lot of good choices in life and in simlife so I have to agree with Bilbs on this one. Zombiewolf, if you're a pancake fan, that's cool, but I just have to strongly disagree with you at this point. Waffles > Pancakes any day of the week, if you understand what I'm getting at, lol.

Who is your favorite artist/band?

A: My favorite rock band is Weezer, my favorite hip hop artist is probably Kendrick or ASAP Rocky. Thereâ€™s a lot of music I listen to though, I have a few different playlists on spotify with rock, hip hop, pop, and other things like string music. I really like listening to Vitamin String Quartet when I donâ€™t want something thatâ€™s too much. When I'm in my car, I usually throw on spotify playlists that have pop, that's because I have them downloaded already. If I'm not trying to use my phone's battery, I listen to 92.3 Classic Rock station. I have a few favorites from there, like Blue Oyster Cult, Joe Walsh, and guys like that. Last night New England listened to music together in a social DJ format. There was a wide array of music from Taylor Swift to Biggie Smalls to Led Zepplin. Sometimes I like to listen to some of the lesser known stuff, and I just toss them into the playlists and they

Thank you for your questions.

Pris

Who do you miss playing with/sharing a locker room with most from our S30 cup-winning team?

A: Wow Pris, hitting me up with the hard questions. I really can't pick just one person, because that was the most fun I've had in a sim league. We were all great, You, Benches, Paige, Banning, Bottas, Alex, Bozzz, Reeder; all made that team very fun. Our squad was kind of close, and we just all felt like we had something special going on. I really do miss playing with all those I just listed, if I could take that S30 team to the SHL as a core, I would for sure. We had something great, and I'm very thankful to have been a part of it with everyone.

Which one was hardest to play against this season?

A: Playing against Banning is tough, right? We all looked up to Captain Banning like a father figure since he showed us the ropes. It's hard to play against all those players though. Which makes it weird when we face off Portland. Volkova must experience it as well. There's like 5 guys that know your habits and secrets. It makes it harder, but the competition is nice.

Thank you for the questions Pris!

Thanks everyone, ready for grading!

daBenchwarmer · 03-03-2017, 11:25 PM

"Hi Mr. Kosonen, Jeremy Tylers from the Boston Globe with a few questions.

First of all, congratulations on making the Wolfpack's roster, is there anything you look forward to with the season now underway?

Who in the SHL are you most excited to face off against?

Who's the best locker room presence on the Wolfpack?

Can you give your opinion on the whole situation between the Portland Admirals and your former teammate Reed Laing? As well, could you comment on the fight between Laing and your other former teammate Isaac Kaiser?

In order to return to the Challenge Cup Finals, in your own opinion, what do you think the Wolfpack need to do?

What do you believe you need to do in order to progress your development?

Thank you! Good luck in this season!"

Jenny · 03-03-2017, 11:28 PM

What's the best thing about living in Mia Landvik's house? The worst thing?

Ghost · 03-03-2017, 11:29 PM

I heard a rumour that Toivo is slang for toilet brush...any truth to this?

With most of the Eastern conference upgrading before the trade deadline, how do you feel about Halifaxs chances come playoff time?

What was your biggest accomplishment this season?

What do you think needs to improve most in your game for it to reach that next level?

Who's your favourite teammate to play with in NE?

Which teammate has the worst taste in music?

Do they ever let you pick the locker room music? What do you play?

Zombiewolf · 03-04-2017, 05:52 PM

What have you found frustrating about you game this season?

Do you have a rival?

What are your goals for this season?

What are you goals for your career?

How has the Wolfpack been treating you?

Waffles or Pancakes?

Who is your favorite artist/band?