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Ghost · 03-10-2017, 02:28 PM

READY FOR GRADING 3471 words

Well this is looking like it will be my final SMJHL season as a player and after 4 seasons it's been a bit of a longer stretch than most. I never thought I'd end my junior career anywhere other than Montreal, but this season has been a wild ride. I will now take any and all questions Cheers

How surprised were you with the trade to Montreal?

I can say that I was pretty surprised, I was ready and expecting to finish my SMJHL career in Vancouver. Having family in management with the Whalers I was under the impression that I wouldn't even be eligible to be traded, once I heard the news that I was able to be traded though I kind of had an idea it may have been coming, as most of the other guys who had experience and were likely to be called up next season were already gone. I totally understand the trade from a business perspective especially with the recent changes to the SMJHL playoff structure.

Are you happier to end your SMJHL career with a playoff run or would you have preferred to be a one team guy?

It's honestly not the answer that you want to hear but personally I would have rather been a one team guy. I'm glad I have another shot to end my SMJHL career on a high note but in a perfect world this would have been my shot in Vancouver. I'm not upset or going to pout that I got traded to Montreal, but my heart and soul will always be in Vancouver. That doesn't mean I won't give the same effort in our playoff run here, I still am a competitive guy who wants to win. I spoke with my father (GM Adam Kaiser SR.) before the trade and he let me know that he was proud of me and that no one in the organization ever questioned my dedication to the team. So that was a good thing to hear and like I said earlier I understand that this was something that helps Vancouver in the long run, hopefully one of the draft picks they acquired when they shipped me out will be able to achieved what I was not able to with the Whalers, win the Four Star Cup

How has the transition been from the #1 guy in Vancouver to playing a strictly offensive role in Montreal?

I have always been a team first type of guy and I'll play in any and all roles that my coach asks me to play. Goalies injured? I'll be the first to strap on some pads and block clappers from the point. Doesn't matter to me. I perform best under pressure and playing lots of minutes, but what is best for me isn't always what's best for the team and I am totally fine with accepting and roles Montreal has for me, or Texas when I make the jump up to the bigs next season for that matter.

Do you think you and the Militia have what it takes to bring home a four star cup?

Yeah I do actually and that's not only because it's the team I play on now. The additions that Montreal made this deadline by acquiring myself and long time family friend Carrick Murphy have really set them up well to take on perennial powerhouses like the Halifax Raiders or Kelowna Knights. We have a very strong team top to bottom and the GMs have done an excellent job rallying everyone together and figuring out who clicks and who doesn't. The atmosphere in Montreal is great and it seems like the fans really think that this is our year. My teammates are all very excited and I can tell they also feel like this is our year. I haven't been here for long but it's been great these past couple weeks. Their facilities are second only to Vancouvers and the fans are almost as loud. If I had to choose any other team to have been drafted by other than Vancouver, Montreal would be at or near the top of that list. I really hope that I can play my part and bring Montreal the cup before I start my career in Texas to prove that I was worth the future talent they gave to get me

Favorite place to get a quick meal?

There is a Ma and Pa run Italian restaurant right down the road from my condo in Vancouver the serves unlimited bread and salad, absolutely delicious. The pasta is to die for and the portions are huge, which is great because it's really hard to meet your daily calorie goals without eating junk food. Everything is homemade and every time I go there I order something different and haven't once found anything on the menu that wasn't excellent. The pasta is a little heavy for game days but there is no better place in town after a long exhausting bag skate. Oh the place is called Marios on 147th Ave by the way. Definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. Oh on a side note, as much as I love teammate Rick James, stay away from the tuna salad at his China Club 0/10 would not recommend!

Any hesitations about going to Montreal?

No, not really. I think after playing four seasons in the SMJHL you are very confident as yourself as a player and can play on any team, in any role and feel comfortable still. I am glad that the GMs decided to ship me out of conference as it would have been really hard for me to play for a team like Kelowna who I have been groomed to hate since the day I was drafted. Kelowna is obviously our biggest rival but Prince George is also a provincial rival of sorts as well. Montreal has a really good team and even though I would have loved to end my junior career with the Vancouver Whalers, I am also excited to go and try to win the Four Star Cup. In Montreal I feel like I have a good shot at this.

Favorite part of being a player?

Who can complain about being able to play the game they love for a living? I honestly realize that I am blessed to be able to wake up each day and play the game I love, and on top of that, I get paid very well to do so. I will never let my head get too big that I forget that this is a privilege and that I always need to give it everything I've got or else there will be two younger hungrier prospects aiming for my ice time. It is truly a great feeling strapping on my skates each and every day instead of sitting at a computer pretending to plug away in Excel or to be swinging a hammer all day making someone else rich. That being said I worked very hard to get to where I am today and I won't take anything for granted. A few more weeks and my dream of playing in the SHL will finally come true, but just because this dream is finally accomplished doesn't mean I don't have more work to do, my next dream is to help bring my SHL team a Challenge Cup.

Favorite part of being a general manager?

Haha you have Adam Kaiser JR here today. My father Adam Kaiser SR is busy getting ready for the draft in Vancouver right now but I've asked him this before and he's told me that he loves the challenge of working with new and young hockey stars. Some guys come in right away and just know what they have to do to succeed and others you have to hold their hand the whole time. The real struggle with dealing with such young hockey players is that a lot of them lack motivation. Even getting some to show up to training camp or to our weekly team practise is too much to ask of some of these guys and what's really too bad about the whole situation is that they still get ice time! There just aren't enough guys in the league for all the teams to have complete rosters of guys who are active and show up to every practise. There are other leagues out there where the really motivated guys go to play in hopes of making the NHL one day. One day my father hopes to help the SMJHL and SHL become the premier league in North America and maybe even eventually Europe.

Any regrets during your time in the SMJHL?

I definitely regret not being able to lead the Vancouver Whalers to a Four Star Cup victory. Maybe if I had as much defensive skill as I go offence then things may have gone differently. But I am who I am and we can't change the past now. I am happy with who I am as a player and the amount I've grown as a player and person during my four seasons in the junior league. Previous management knew exactly what they were getting when they took me in the entry draft and I don't think you can ask for much more from a 10th round draft pick. I'm obviously still young and have lots more growing and maturing to do but it looks like that will come during my time in the SHL now.

Any advice for rookies in the SMJHL?

Enjoy your time in the juniors as it goes by quickly (even if you end up spending four seasons there) and once you're in the SHL it is really crunch time. Keep motivated and make sure to make it to at least the weekly mandatory practise. You are getting paid and ice time, show some effort and initiative to the team who has invested in you. There is a lot of travel time on the bus so make sure to always remember your iPod or PSP chargers and try to find a room mate for on the road you are compatible with, you will be spending lots of time together. Remember your earplugs in case your roomie snores and a pregame nap does wonders for your endurance. Oh and remember where you go in the draft doesn't matter, there is always room to raise up the rankings and go earlier in the SHL draft, it's good motivation.

How sick to your stomach were you when the trade went through? Did you get that tat on your back of you in a Vancouver jersey changed?

Once I heard that there actually wasn't a rule blocking me from being traded because my father is in management, I kind of started to prepare myself. I seen other close friends and team mates get shipped off to other eastern conference teams, Tommy Salami and Yuriy Starkonov to the Detroit Falcons and Frankie Latta to the Halifax Raiders. With the other eastern playoff teams acquiring some help, I thought that Montreal might make a push to help their blue line and I knew I was one of if not the only star defender left available. Montreal GM Jeff Kirkstone called me before the trade went through and made sure I was fine with finishing out the season with the Militia and that little bit of extra respect he showed me went a long way. I would have played there either way but it was still a nice gesture. As for the tattoo...I have already been in talks with my tattoo artist and with me going to play for the Texas Renegades next season, he thinks he can do a cover up and turn it into a Renegades jersey no problem. I am booked in for right after the playoffs, so hopefully later rather than sooner.

How do you expect to fare against stuff competition in the SHL? With 4 years of seasoning, you should have a shot at an impressive performance... ROTY aspirations?!

I think I'm a little more prepared than most to face the big dogs in the SHL. I'm a little older than most when they first make the show so that's always quite the advantage. I wasn't a small guy when I entered into the SMJHL, so at 6'3" and 215 I'm not worried about my size. I knew from the start I needed to work on my physical strength before I played in the SHL and I am really focused on that right now and it will be my main focus during the off season as well. I think that I will be the most experienced rookie in the SHL next season so that should put me as front runner off the hop, but there will be a lot of good rookies competing for the Rookie of the Year award as well, so by no means do I think I'm a lock for it. We will see how my first season goes and how much playing time I find myself playing in Texas. I am also at a slight disadvantage as a defence man in my opinion because even though I am very offensively minded, it will be hard to out score some of the young wingers who will get lots of offensive minutes on teams like Portland or Minnesota. I guess it will all come down to how much of an impact I can have on the Renegades. If make the playoffs next season then I will have an even stronger shot at Rookie of the Year.

Which if your 4 years with VAN is your favorite, looking back?

I would have to say the season before last. It was the first season with the new playoff rules and we were neck in neck with the Colorado Mammoths all season for that last western conference spot. If I remember correctly it may have even come down to the last game or two which decided if it was the Whalers or Mammoths who would be advancing. It was a very exciting season and for me was one of my best statistically. I play better under pressure and being in a constant race with Colorado brought out the best in me personally. It really is a shame that we got knocked out in the first round of the playoffs as it really felt like we could have been that team who went on a miraculous Cinderella run.

How much was your ELC for? Better not have been more than mine...

You haven't heard? I make more than Reed Laing did in Portland. I didn't even ask for that much but GM Geoffrey Allen offered so it would have been rude to decline it. He was also quoted as saying "Take the rest of our budget so I don't have to give anymore to that scrub Conkin Owen" I don't know what got into him. Obviously kidding and I think I'm making 3x3 or something very similar. Might not have been full market value but he tossed a No Trade Clause in there for me and I was happy to be locked in the the Renegades for the next few seasons...and hopefully the rest of my career.

Are you ready yo make the jump to the SHL?

I had better be. I was given more time than most to get myself ready and if I am not ready to go now then that would be a huge fuck up by me. I know quite a few people in the SHL and have gotten a lot of advice on how to handle myself and what to watch out for in my first few games. The Renegades also seems to have a really good veteran support system and if I have issues there are multiple guys I can reach out to for help. I don't think there is anything more I could do to prepare myself and the Renegades have also done a tip top job making sure I have all the tools I need to succeed.

Favorite building to play in so far?

Would you expect me to say anything other than my home arena in Vancouver, Rogers arena? I have so many good memories in that building it is going to be weird getting used to a new one in Texas. The training facilities and staff are top notch and by far the best in the SMJHL. I haven't played in any of the SHL arenas yet but I'm sure they are great and I'm excited to play in each one next season.

Best memory / moment in the SMJHL?

It would have to be my first SHL goal, It was against our rivals the Kelowna Knights and it was the go ahead goal late in the third period and I will never forget that feeling. At that moment it felt like all my hard work had finally paid off and that I was on top of the world. I never would have scored that goal though without Corey Bearss doing all the leg work and saucing me the puck and then I shelved it top cheddar baby.

Favourite moment?

Well this is basically the exact same question as the last one so I'll go with an off ice moment that was my favourite to switch it up though. My favourite moment would be at the SHL entry draft when Geoffrey Allen called my name in the second round. It was a little earlier than I thought I was going to go a little later than I did. I was fully expecting to go third round and was even worried about losing the bet I had with Isaac Kaiser (my cousin) about who would go before who. My entire family was with me that day and it's hard to describe the feeling, but it was nothing short of extraordinary. When I was walking down the arena steps to throw on the Renegades jersey for the first time I felt at peace, I truly felt at piece and at that moment I knew that all the hard work and hours I had put in paid off.

Favourite teammate past and present?

I'll stray from the obvious favourite of Corey Bearss and and say that I had the most fun playing with Ludvig van Shroder and Conklin Owen in their final year with the Whalers. Shroder and I are the same age and came into the league at approximately the same time but I learned a lot about what it takes to become an offensive defender in this league from him. We didn't always play on the same pairing but we practised together lots and I knew even if he was on the bench when I was on the ice he had my back and visa versa. Conklin Owen also took me under his wing a little bit and always was on my ass to make sure I was giving it everything I had every shift and even woke me up a few times where I would have been late for practise otherwise. All around team guy and I'm glad to play along side him next season in Texas. My favourite current team mate isn't actually a current team mate at the moment but he's close enough as we both got traded to separate teams near the trade deadline. That team mate is none other than blue liner extraordinaire Tommy Salami. We were line mates for most of this season, in what was probably one of the Vancouver Whalers worst statistical seasons. You learn a lot about a guy when you are at rock bottom, and what I learned about Tommy is that he is one of the best partners anyone could hope to have. He was a great captain and even when we weren't winning he was always positive and willing to help out anyone who needed anything. Buffalo will be very happy that they drafted Tommy a couple seasons ago.

What do you need to do in order to make the jump to the SHL?

My biggest weakness has always been my strength. I've been hitting the gym daily now though and am positive I will be strong enough to compete at the SHL level come preseason. I have heard that quite a few Renegades are gym rats and I hope to learn some good gym life hacks from them to help me along even further. I can't say that I've ever enjoyed dry land training and hitting the gym was no different. It is something I have been working on though and can't wait to see how I stack up against some of the SHL greats we have playing in the league this upcoming season

Grapehead · 03-10-2017, 02:49 PM

How surprised were you with the trade to Montreal?

Are you happier to end your SMJHL career with a playoff run or would you have preferred to be a one team guy?

How has the transition been from the #1 guy in Vancouver to playing a strictly offensive role in Montreal?

Do you think you and the Militia have what it takes to bring home a four star cup?

Toivo · 03-11-2017, 01:45 AM

Favorite place to get a quick meal?

Any hesitations about going to Montreal?

Favorite part of being a player?

Favorite part of being a general manager?

Any regrets during your time in the SMJHL?

Any advice for rookies in the SMJHL?

Phobospwns · 03-11-2017, 10:43 AM

How sick to your stomach were you when the trade went through? Did you get that tat on your back of you in a Vancouver jersey changed?

How do you expect to fare against stuff competition in the SHL? With 4 years of seasoning, you should have a shot at an impressive performance... ROTY aspirations?!

Which if your 4 years with VAN is your favorite, looking back?

How much was your ELC for? Better not have been more than mine...

RHolder71 · 03-14-2017, 09:57 PM

Are you ready yo make the jump to the SHL?

Favorite building to play in so far?

Best memory / moment in the SMJHL?

Dangles13 · 03-14-2017, 10:41 PM

Favourite moment?
Favourite teammate past and present?
What do you need to do in order to make the jump to the SHL?

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