INTERVIEWER
 
First of all, congratulations, Pete, on the 3rd overall selection in the draft! What’s going through your mind right now?
 
PETE ALEMAN
 
Ya know, I’m absolutely over the moon right now.  I don’t know exactly what I was expecting out of the draft, but whatever I could have expected this has far exceeded it. It’s an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m so happy to be able to be here and to be a part of the Kelowna Knights!  
 
INTERVIEWER
 
Did you have any inkling that it was going to be the Knights who drafted you?
 
PETE ALEMAN
 
After the pre-draft interviews I certainly had a good feeling about my discussion with the Knights.  Growing up in Ireland we all watched the SMJHL and SHL religiously and I have a great respect for the way the Knights are run as an organization, I thought I showed that pretty well in my interview and I’m happy that Artermis agreed. I’m looking forward to getting to work with both Artermis and the team, and become a part of the locker room.
 
INTERVIEWER
 
I know it’s only been a few minutes since the draft, but has it really sunk in that you’re wearing a SMJHL jersey right now?
 
PETE ALEMAN
 
I know this is going to sound cliché, but I’m absolutely speechless right now.  I’m not sure it really has sunk in.  You never really know what’s going to happen in a draft like this and now that it has, I don’t completely know how to feel.  I just know I’m excited to be wearing the gold and green  The team has a storied history spanning many seasons and I’m looking forward to adding my own chapter to it.
 
INTERVIEWER
 
Can you talk to us about the feelings you had coming into the draft?
 
PETE ALEMAN
 
As much as I can remember it was a whole lot of nervousness and excitement.  My heart rate monitor on my watch has had me in Zone 1-2 all day, definitely ramping up as it got closer to the actual draft time.  I’m very fortunate to have my family here with me, they’ve been incredibly supportive throughout this whole process.  You never really know when you’re going to get picked, so the excitement is absolutely electric when they start calling the names.  
 
There’s a lot of really great talent in this draft class, and I’m very fortunate to be a part of it.  I was very surprised when I was drafted where I was, I feel like there’s a lot of players that I’ve played with or followed who are at least as good as me that were still on the board.  It’s an absolutely crazy time for all of us and I’m excited to see how some of my competitors pan out in their SMJHL careers and beyond.  There's going to be a deep competition between the players in this draft class, and that's a challenge that I'm going to relish.
 
I’m sure you know that sometimes when your adrenaline is going during something exciting you can lose track of what’s going on a little bit, I’m sure I’ll have a better picture of what went on today in the coming weeks but as of right now everything that’s happened is a little bit blurred. *chuckles*
 
INTERVIEWER
 
I certainly understand that.  What do you hope to bring to the Knights?
 
PETE ALEMAN
 
My hockey philosophy is that offense starts with defense, and that’s how I operate every day on the ice. I’m hoping to bring some grit and toughness to an already gritty and tough team, and try to play the best defensively that I can to help out the goalies and generate more chances in the offensive zone.  I’ve always said this starts with the fundamentals: skating, physicality, game awareness and hockey IQ.  I’m hoping I can bring that to the team and we can make some deep runs into the playoffs.
 
INTERVIEWER
 
And finally, the fun part: once you sign a contract, do you have anything special you’re looking to do as a treat to yourself?
 
PETE ALEMAN
 
Honestly, Kat, I’m not really quite sure.  I’ve been working really hard on getting myself into the best position possible coming into the draft, so that’s been my primary focus.  Whole lot of off-ice work: strength, speed, watching film.  I’ve been so into the preparation for today that I haven’t really put a lot of thought into it. 
 
Honestly the best thing I can think of that I can do is help out my parents.  I wouldn’t be where I am today without their help: my dad helping train me, both of them driving me to 2am ice time, countless hours on the road for tournaments.  I’m very fortunate to have as much support from my family as I do, and I’d love to be able to give back to the folks that helped get me here.
 
INTERVIEWER
 
Well thanks, Pete.  Congratulations again on your draft and I look forward to seeing what you can do for the Kelowna Knights.  Good luck in the J!
 
PETE ALEMAN
 
Thank you!

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Congrats!!