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*Ara* · 07-31-2024, 08:17 PM

*cowritten with Cake307

First Look Series: Roisin Armagh

By Jackson Kennedy for The Hockey News

I recently had the chance to sit down with Roisin Armagh, a young woman hoping to join the SMJHL, and ask her some questions in an attempt to get to know her better. Entering the world of professional sports is always difficult, but especially so for those about to depart their homes to travel across oceans for their shot. There’s always something special about those kinds of players, which makes them among my favorite to interview, and often the most popular interviews of all. But that’s enough rambling from me, let’s get to it.

Jackson Kennedy: “Hello, Ms. Armagh. Thank you for making time for me today. I’ve come out here to Derry to ask you some things about your life, hockey, and what you’re looking for in your prospective career. I know it’s a lot, but I’m very thankful to you for agreeing to this!”

Roisin Armagh: “Oh it’s my pleasure, Jackson. Honestly, I’m rather flattered that you would take the time to come all the way out to Derry to interview me above the other rookies. At any rate, ask away!”

JK: “I’ll be getting to them, hopefully, at least. But you were an interesting prospect, to me. You’ve already been fairly accomplished as a defender at the youth level, competing and even winning in some fairly prestigious tournaments here in Ireland, right?”

RA: “I suppose you could say that, though I don’t know if I would really go that far. That said, I have helped my team win in a few of Eire’s more noteworthy tournaments, yes…namely the Emerald Classic in Dublin and the Gaelic Rumble in Galway, among a few others.”

JK: “Well, I’ve looked at the stats for those, and see a good number of hits and takeaways credited to you. Roisin, I hope it’s alright if I call you that, would you describe yourself as an aggressive defender?”

RA: “Oh feel free to call me that if you wish, Jackson. As for your question, I would say that I am, yes. I tend to lean into pursuing a very active role in defending when I’m on the ice. Perhaps even overly so if you ask some of my old teammates.”

JK: “I have, by the way. A certain Kieran said he’d never been hit as hard by anyone as you.” I laugh a little bit. “But that’s enough of that, it’s a dry topic, and I can tell you’re a little nervous here. It’s fine, lots are in their first interviews. How about you tell me why you decided to start playing hockey?”

RA: “Well, you should take Kieran’s words with a wee grain of salt, Jackson. He is known for telling the occasional tall tale, particularly if it be on the ice. At any rate, I started playing when I was attending secondary school in Galway in my first year. A friend of mine was involved and seemed to be quite taken with it, so I decided what the hell and tried out for the team…after a little bit of pestering from her of course!”

JK: “So, a friend got you into it, huh? I hope they’re not too jealous of what a natural you’ve become! I imagine it wasn’t so easy at the start, though, was it?”

RA: “Indeed they did. As for being jealous, maybe a little bit, but they went on to have a decent career themselves….Oh heavens no. Truth be told, it was quite a struggle at the start with learning the ins and outs of it. You wouldn’t believe how many times I got knocked down or fell flat on my face getting a hang of things.”

JK: “Oh, I might. Most players have stories of that kind of thing! So, was it your friend who helped you through, or just something about hockey itself? Everyone has a different reason for why they persevered, after all.”

RA: “It was my friend. Even when I was struggling, he stuck by me and encouraged me to keep working at the game until I got it. Had it not been for his encouragement and coaching, I wouldn’t have made it through that first year, let alone gotten this far.”

JK: “Sounds like a good friend. Hopefully you’ll meet similar people going forward! If you don’t mind me asking, are they going to try for the SMJHL as well?”

RA: “He had expressed an interest in joining when I last spoke with him a few weeks ago, but wanted to wait until next season. Hopefully he’ll take the plunge and join up as he said.”

JK: “Sounds exciting! Getting an early start, then! How are you feeling about moving to America or Canada? Obviously you haven’t yet, but you’ll need to once you get drafted, right?”

RA: “Of course. I’ll admit it has me both nervous and quite excited! Obviously, there’s the whole moving across the pond and setting up in a new city that worries me. That’s also saying nothing of the culture shock either. That said, I am looking forward to the new opportunities there, both professionally and personally.”

JK: “Have you decided what you’ll be doing? You’re not done with school, either, right? Will you be taking online classes while staying with a billet family? A player you might have heard of, Anastasia Soderstrom, has gone that route while she plays goalie for Detroit.”

RA: “Yes, I will be continuing my classes during the season while I stay with a billet family. Obviously, a lot of it and where will depend on the draft but that is the plan, yes.”

JK: “Speaking of, the draft is coming up soon. Have any teams already reached out to you?”

RA: “A few have actually. Namely Ottawa, St. Louis, Nevada, and Detroit!”

JK: “Well, you seem excited enough about them to just tell us! Did any of those teams catch your eye, or did you do any research on them? Any players from those teams you’d be excited to play with or a location you’d especially like to go to?”

RA: “I’ve done a bit of research on some of the teams, with St. Louis and Ottawa being the ones that have caught my eye the most thus far. Of their players, I would probably say Alexa Johnson and Florian Haseck as both have been quite exciting to watch last season.”

JK: “And, of course, Ottawa made that run for the Four Star Cup, though unfortunately they fell just short. Does that kind of exciting, deep playoff run hockey appeal to you?”

RA: “It certainly does, Jackson. To me, such a run would be a thrill to experience, in no small part due to how it brings out the best in every player. That’s saying nothing of the sheer excitement of it…”

JK: “Well, everyone can see and feel that excitement. It sounds like you’re focused on winning, then, wherever you go? You want to go to a team that will compete immediately?”

RA: “I would say it’s less that I am focused on winning than it is that I enjoy putting my skills to the test with a good team, Jackson. That’s what I am mainly looking for with whatever team I get drafted for.”

JK: “A good answer! But the J is only a short time in your career. Have you had any thoughts about moving up to the SHL yet, or is that too far ahead to even worry about right now?”

RA: “I’ve thought about it, at least somewhat. Obviously it’s a bit of a ways off, but I’ve already started familiarizing myself with some of the teams from the SHL proper.”

JK: “Have you been watching the SHL, then? They just recently had the finals, which New England won, of course, did you follow the playoffs there?”

RA: “That I have. I had been following Toronto through it and had been pulling for them, but sadly they lost in the 1st round. Still, good on New England for the win.”

JK: “Well, it isn’t that surprising, given how badly they’ve struggled the last few seasons. Some believe they’re starting to look a lot better now, though, so maybe better luck next year?” At this point, there’s the sound of Roisin’s name being shouted. “Ah, I guess we’re out of time. It was nice getting to know you, Roisin, and I wish you luck in the upcoming SMJHL draft.”

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 07-31-2024, 10:19 PM

The draft stock be Roisin

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