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Keygan · 09-17-2019, 11:36 AM

Another season has come and gone and Edmonton has secured its second cup in five seasons, currently manager of the Edmonton Blizzard, Connor Tanner steps up to the podium to answer any and all questions people may have.

Ask away.

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09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Favorite Run The Jewels song?

Is this someone I should have heard of? I can not say with any certainty that I have ever in my twenty three years of living heard a Run The Jewels song.

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Biggest difference maker on the squad these playoffs and why?

Without a doubt it would have to be the young guys like Finn-Rhys, Jean-Paul Boivin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Bananarak, Conor Tanner.

These young guys came in mid-way through the western conference final and really rejuvenated a tired team, we had gone through close to 20 games already at that point and we really needed a good kick in the ass to get things rolling again.
@Nokazoa @khabib @FinnRhys @PeanutButter

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Which team would you least like to have played in the finals that made it to the playoffs from the east this season?

Buffalo, how they got eliminated is beyond me, but I was ecstatic to know we had no chance of playing those guys. They have a scary roster year in and year out, any season I do not have to come across them in the playoffs is a good season.

@WannabeFinn @Tomen

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Willy Mack has retired, what are your plans for him in his final season?

Likely trade on the horizon, Willy Mack was an integral part of two cups in Edmonton and I thank him for his service and time here, but we have incredibly talented young players that need a roster spot and he's at this point the odd man out.

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Who do you expect to step up as players like Cory Knouse, Hercules Rockefeller and Teddy Cuddles head into their final seasons?

Marc Hagan, James Truong and Julio Tokolosh flew under the radar as third line players this season but I would expect big things from them in the next two or three seasons, they are incredibly hard workers and they come to play every game.

@JulioTokolosh @JamesTruong @CampinKiller

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: What's your path forward with future prospects? Will you be trading young players for trade deadline acquisitions or is the expectation that training camp rosters will carry you into the playoffs?

I highly highly doubt that any young players will be dealt, we have already mortgaged a lot of the future to continue competing with our S35-S39 core, but it's time to really start looking at the future and what that holds for us as a team. Whatever it holds I am incredibly excited to continue to pursue excellence.

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why is Brady McIntyre the best?

He's on the Blizzard, does that not explain it all?

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why is Tor Tuck the best?

He's on the Blizzard, does that not explain it all?

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why is Tommy Tuck the best?

He's on the Blizzard, does that not explain it all?

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why is Texas the worst?

I actually do not mind Texas anymore, they have chilled out a lot over the past 10 seasons.

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Do you see little Scholz living up to the expectations big Scholz created for him?

I see little Scholz surpassing anything his father laid out for him, he's what, four seasons into a career and already half way to his fathers cup totals.

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09-17-2019, 12:29 PMkarlssens Wrote: Is this the beginning of a new trend in Edmonton? Can you predict when the next cup might land here?

I mean I sure hope it is it would be awfully nice to win a Challenge Cup every three or four seasons but I cannot see that being a reality whatsoever. Though I do think that a winning culture in Edmonton has always been a big thing in the past and I do not think it will be going away anytime soon. You can expect to see us in the playoffs every season from here on out. We have a culture that will accept nothing less than the best from every player and that starts at the top with management.

09-17-2019, 12:29 PMkarlssens Wrote: There was an exodus of talent the last time Edmonton won the cup. Can we expect a similar off-season?

No I believe the last time Edmonton won a cup the mass exodus afterwards was a bit of an anomaly and we kind of expected it to be honest with the acquisition of Joe three in one of our biggest Acquisitions that offseason we always knew there was the potential that he would end up being the manager of his own franchise sooner rather than later. Though the loss of Fletcher Smythe and Cain were huge losses for the franchise it goes without saying that we managed to bounce back better than ever after their departure. who knows we may not have been in a position to win this season if it were not for that mass exodus therefore I am thankful for what they did for the franchise but wish them the best moving forward.

09-17-2019, 12:29 PMkarlssens Wrote: You were able to eliminate several big time rivals on this run including Calgary, New Orleans and New England. Which series victory was most significant to you?

We joked around in management about how this could be a dream playoffs eliminating three huge rivals in Calgary, New Orleans and New England but we did not think it would become a reality the way that it did.

I would have to say the biggest win for us would have to be New Orleans in the Wastern Conference finals just due to the fact of the mass exodus of the team and the majority of them ending up in New Orleans it was almost like we were beating ourselves by beating the spectres in the finals.

I knew New Orleans had a great matchup against us and beating them was a bit surreal if I were to be honest we did not expect to win going in. we believed in ourselves fully but the idea of being the best team in the Western Conference this early as a wild-card team was a bit far-fetched. Thankfully we did beat them and we moved on to face New England in the finals where we swept the previous general manager of the Edmonton Blizzard to accomplish our eighth challenge cup as a franchise.

09-17-2019, 12:29 PMkarlssens Wrote: Tommy Tuck found his MVP-calibre form in the final two series after a relatively average start to the year. Which Tuck will we see in S50?

Tommy is a bit of an anomaly if I am being honest it seems as though it is every other season that he returns to mvp-caliber type play. if I were to guess I would say that he is going to have a good season this season and carry us back to the playoffs as per his usual self. Though as a team we managed to overcome his mediocre play and allow him the opportunity to return to his mvp-caliber type self in the playoffs which in turn ended up winning us a Cup.

09-17-2019, 12:29 PMkarlssens Wrote: With a lot of top end talent in Edmonton set to regress, who's the next player (or players) to watch in Edmonton?

I think a really exciting player to watch in the future for Edmonton is going to be Julio. Julio made a name for himself In the season 47 Draft when he was drafted 7th overall by us. At every step in his journey he has accomplished more than we would have anticipated. He is the hardest-working player we have in organization and we are thankful for him every day whether it be mentoring the even younger players or taking advice from the vetrans Julio is always has and always will be a workhorse.

I expect Julio to take a big step up in production this season as the aging core continues to regress, Julio will without a doubt be there to pick up the slack.

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09-17-2019, 12:31 PMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why are you taking so long to answer?

Between the draft and the tasks of the general manager set before us by the commissioner it has been a busy time in the Edmonton front office and it has been very difficult to find time to answer the question the Press has left out before us.

I really hope no one is offended by the length of time it took to answer the questions but I am trying my best to answer any and all questions you guys have for me in a timely manner.

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09-17-2019, 12:34 PMcpetrella Wrote: Why is the Kraken branding cool?

I actually I'm a big fan of the Kraken branding even if my reaction to the rebranding hasn't always been positive.

09-17-2019, 12:34 PMcpetrella Wrote: Why is the Kraken branding the origin of all things evil in the world?

The only negative thing I have to say about the Kraken branding would have to be the fact that they relocated from the Hockey Central of the universe Montreal.

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09-17-2019, 12:36 PMNokazoa Wrote: Why is Jean-Paul Boivin going to be your best pick of the S49 Draft?

Jean Paul is going to have to prove that himself that he has the potential to be the best pick in the season 49 draft for the Edmonton blizzard organization. he is going to have to work his tail off in order to set himself apart from stand outs such as FR Finn-Rhys and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Though, I would not put it past him to become the best player that the Edmonton blizzard selected in that draft seeing as he has already begun to prove himself as a standout among the organization with his activity during team events, and willingness to continue training as hard as he can.

09-17-2019, 12:36 PMNokazoa Wrote: Thoughts on the rumors that JPB wanted to be traded in his junior team?

Until it involves me and my organization I am not willing to discuss topics such as trade request from minor league teams that is Vancouver and only Vancouver’s business and it should stay between the player and the organization involved.

Jean-Paul has Express nothing but good things about Edmonton and I do not expect similar behaviour in Edmonton if this rumour was to be true.

09-17-2019, 12:36 PMNokazoa Wrote: Why do you play Heroes of the Storm so much?

Honestly it is a good time killer to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy using it as a release of stress during the busy offseason and hectic regular season.

09-17-2019, 12:36 PMNokazoa Wrote: Would you kill Ryan Reynolds to be with Blake Lively?

Probably not, I love my girlfriend an awful lot.

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09-17-2019, 12:39 PMACapitalChicago Wrote: What are your plans going into the off season?

Going into the offseason my plans are per usual, retain the players we have and look to upgrade from within or outside the organization whether that be through trade or free agency. I know we have a few feelers out to a couple of free agents and I hope those go positively but if not we have a competitive team, we just won the cop and we're prepared more than ever to defend it

09-17-2019, 12:39 PMACapitalChicago Wrote: Thoughts on the upcoming draft? Any picks in particular you're looking at?

I cannot comment further on this matter even though the draft is finished I do not wish to look as though I am tampering with another organizations by mentioning players that I enjoyed draft interviews with.

09-17-2019, 12:39 PMACapitalChicago Wrote: Favorite sandwich?

My favourite sandwich is actually a chicken bacon mozzarella Melt from a local delicatessen from the city I grew up in named Rick's Cafe.

The delicatessen I named is actually across the street from the high school I grew up going to me and my friends would often find ourselves going across the street during lunch hours to order the same thing a chicken bacon mozzarella melt alongside a cream of broccoli soup in which Rick was famous for making it was always the best in town and no one ever disputed that.

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09-17-2019, 12:43 PMTommySalami Wrote: A lot of trades were made in the previous offseason. Which trade do you think had the most impact?

I think the veteran presence of Terrance Nova was something absolutely astronomically key for the success of the Season 49 Blizzard and if it were not for him and his veteran presence in the locker room we may have collapsed during our slide in the middle of the regular season in which we saw ourselves fall out of the playoffs completely.

Though I cannot at all undermine the importance of Jordan Von Matt on the second pairing of defense. He was an absolute Rock for us on the blue line and anchored down the second penalty-kill alongside the second power play admirably.

09-17-2019, 12:43 PMTommySalami Wrote: The Blizzard have mortgaged quite a bit of their future by trading away picks, what's the plan for the future?

I would have to disagree in the fact that we have mortgaged our future if you were to look into the minor league system for our team you would find multiple absolutely brimming with talent forwards alongside a franchise potential defenseman in FR Finn-Rhys. I truly believe in these players and that is why we felt it best to bolster our current core of players in order to win another cup or two with them before they age out of the league. If anything our future is brighter than ever before.

09-17-2019, 12:43 PMTommySalami Wrote: Which cup meant more to you, S45 or S49?

Without a doubt in my mind the cop that mattered most to me was a season 49 cup not only because it's the freshest but because the group of players truly loved each other and wanted the best for each other whether it meant individual success or not.

In season 49 we were The Underdogs coming in in the wild-card in winning in seven games before moving on to face Calgary our longtime rival who we have not been able to overcome very often in the Western Conference semifinals.

The series lasted 7 games though ultimately found the Blizzard on top. And we then went on to face the New Orlean spectres in the Western Conference Finals. I truly believe New Orleans is the newest and biggest rival for the Edmonton blizzard maybe even surpassing Calgary in recent years, we knew this one was going to be hard and we ended up winning in an astonishing six games.

Moving on to face our previous general manager in New England was the absolute cherry on top of a dream playoff scenario. The only thing that could have made it better was winning, which we managed to do in a clean four-game sweep of the Wolfpack.

In season 45 though it almost felt like we had to win due to the expectations put on us from the incredible regular season we had.

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caltroit_red_flames · 09-17-2019, 11:37 AM

ur mum jeff?

caltroit_red_flames · 09-17-2019, 11:43 AM

Favorite Run The Jewels song?

Biggest difference maker on the squad these playoffs and why?

Which team would you least like to have played in the finals that made it to the playoffs from the east this season?

Willy Mack has retired, what are your plans for him in his final season?

Who do you expect to step up as players like Cory Knouse, Hercules Rockefeller and Teddy Cuddles head into their final seasons?

What's your path forward with future prospects? Will you be trading young players for trade deadline acquisitions or is the expectation that training camp rosters will carry you into the playoffs?

Why is Brady McIntyre the best?

Why is Tor Tuck the best?

Why is Tommy Tuck the best?

Why is Texas the worst?

Do you see little Scholz living up to the expectations big Scholz created for him?

karlssens · 09-17-2019, 12:29 PM

Is this the beginning of a new trend in Edmonton? Can you predict when the next cup might land here?

There was an exodus of talent the last time Edmonton won the cup. Can we expect a similar off-season?

You were able to eliminate several big time rivals on this run including Calgary, New Orleans and New England. Which series victory was most significant to you?

Tommy Tuck found his MVP-calibre form in the final two series after a relatively average start to the year. Which Tuck will we see in S50?

With a lot of top end talent in Edmonton set to regress, who's the next player (or players) to watch in Edmonton?

caltroit_red_flames · 09-17-2019, 12:31 PM

Why are you taking so long to answer?

trella · 09-17-2019, 12:34 PM

Why is the Kraken branding cool?

Why is the Kraken branding the origin of all things evil in the world?

Thanks to @karey and @JSS for the sigs!

Former USA Fed Head, Carolina Kraken Co-GM, Tampa Bay Barracuda GM

***WannabeFinn*** · 09-17-2019, 12:35 PM

Have you ever had Bofa

Nokazoa · 09-17-2019, 12:36 PM

Why is Jean-Paul Boivin going to be your best pick of the S49 Draft?
Thoughts on the rumors that JPB wanted to be traded in his junior team?
Why do you play Heroes of the Storm so much?
Would you kill Ryan Reynolds to be with Blake Lively?

ACapitalChicago · 09-17-2019, 12:39 PM

What are your plans going into the off season?
Thoughts on the upcoming draft? Any picks in particular you're looking at?
Favorite sandwich?

S66 Damian Littleton

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Sean · 09-17-2019, 12:43 PM

A lot of trades were made in the previous offseason. Which trade do you think had the most impact?

The Blizzard have mortgaged quite a bit of their future by trading away picks, what's the plan for the future?

Which cup meant more to you, S45 or S49?

EDM All-Time Leader in Goals, Assists and Points

trella · 09-17-2019, 12:46 PM

09-17-2019, 12:35 PMWannabeFinn Wrote: Have you ever had Bofa

I haven’t but I heard Joe knows

Thanks to @karey and @JSS for the sigs!

Former USA Fed Head, Carolina Kraken Co-GM, Tampa Bay Barracuda GM

***WannabeFinn*** · 09-17-2019, 12:50 PM

09-17-2019, 12:46 PMcpetrella Wrote:
09-17-2019, 12:35 PMWannabeFinn Wrote: Have you ever had Bofa

I haven’t but I heard Joe knows

Joe mama knows about Bofa?

jRuutu · 09-17-2019, 02:39 PM

Why did you not let NEW win at least one game?

Keygan · 09-17-2019, 03:08 PM

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Favorite Run The Jewels song?

Is this someone I should have heard of? I can not say with any certainty that I have ever in my twenty three years of living heard a Run The Jewels song.

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Biggest difference maker on the squad these playoffs and why?

Without a doubt it would have to be the young guys like Finn-Rhys, Jean-Paul Boivin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Bananarak, Conor Tanner.

These young guys came in mid-way through the western conference final and really rejuvenated a tired team, we had gone through close to 20 games already at that point and we really needed a good kick in the ass to get things rolling again.
@Nokazoa @khabib @FinnRhys @PeanutButter

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Which team would you least like to have played in the finals that made it to the playoffs from the east this season?

Buffalo, how they got eliminated is beyond me, but I was ecstatic to know we had no chance of playing those guys. They have a scary roster year in and year out, any season I do not have to come across them in the playoffs is a good season.

@WannabeFinn @Tomen

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Willy Mack has retired, what are your plans for him in his final season?

Likely trade on the horizon, Willy Mack was an integral part of two cups in Edmonton and I thank him for his service and time here, but we have incredibly talented young players that need a roster spot and he's at this point the odd man out.

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Who do you expect to step up as players like Cory Knouse, Hercules Rockefeller and Teddy Cuddles head into their final seasons?

Marc Hagan, James Truong and Julio Tokolosh flew under the radar as third line players this season but I would expect big things from them in the next two or three seasons, they are incredibly hard workers and they come to play every game.

@JulioTokolosh @JamesTruong @CampinKiller

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: What's your path forward with future prospects? Will you be trading young players for trade deadline acquisitions or is the expectation that training camp rosters will carry you into the playoffs?

I highly highly doubt that any young players will be dealt, we have already mortgaged a lot of the future to continue competing with our S35-S39 core, but it's time to really start looking at the future and what that holds for us as a team. Whatever it holds I am incredibly excited to continue to pursue excellence.

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why is Brady McIntyre the best?

He's on the Blizzard, does that not explain it all?

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why is Tor Tuck the best?

He's on the Blizzard, does that not explain it all?

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why is Tommy Tuck the best?

He's on the Blizzard, does that not explain it all?

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Why is Texas the worst?

I actually do not mind Texas anymore, they have chilled out a lot over the past 10 seasons.

09-17-2019, 11:43 AMcaltroit_red_flames Wrote: Do you see little Scholz living up to the expectations big Scholz created for him?

I see little Scholz surpassing anything his father laid out for him, he's what, four seasons into a career and already half way to his fathers cup totals.

JumpierPegasus · 09-17-2019, 03:16 PM

You obviously learned everything you know from Scholz. Who in turn obviously took 99% of his knowledge from my teachings when I was his GM

That makes me your mentor. So I would like some thanks for how I contributed to this Cup win, please

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