Greetings to you all from Sweden. The games continue on as we are entering the playoffs. However we will take a break from the international plays and focus on this next coming interview. Tonight we have Alexa Johansen from St.Louis Scarecrows joining us here at the studio. 

Q: So you are part of the St. Louis Scarecrow team. Mind telling us a little about yourself and your role within the team?
Alexa: Sure, I can. As a little background about myself, I've been playing hockey since I was a small kid, but it was roller hockey. I still sometimes play that during the off season, when I go back to my first home of San Diego. As for the team, I'm the captain and that means I'm the link between the front office and the players off the ice, and on the ice I'm the one they're looking to to make a difference, set a tone, and keep us executing.

Q: Why did you choose hockey as your sport?
Alexa: Well, that's really down to my father, Nils. He's Norwegian, and immigrated to the US, but he brought his love of hockey with him, so I've been immersed from day one. There's a photo back home, of baby me with a little Norway hockey beanie on.

Q: Are you currently playing in the world junior championship?
Alexa: I am for Team USA Blue. The GM is actually my father, who I mentioned earlier. He takes it as a chance to go extra hard on me.

Q: Can you tell us your experience and performance of Team USA Blue especially with you in the playoffs congrats?
Alexa: Well, I'm hardly one of the stars of this year's team, and a lot of the credit goes to players like Cracker Pizza, Gewmba Stolemamoney, or Carter Crutchfield, just for a very short and incomplete list. But it's always a huge growing experience to get to compete internationally, and this year there's a bit of extra fire in the team. We want revenge on Norden for knocking us out in an upset last time around, and it seems like we have to make it all the way to the finals to meet them. Luckily, I think we're getting hot at the right time.

Q: Looks like your next opponent is Team Ice. So what are your plans for your team to defeat them?
Alexa: Sorry, but I can't exactly spill our tactical secrets in an interview! We don't want to give them an unfair advantage, do we?

Q: Indeed so as we will come close to WJC soon. You will return to Scarecrow and the draft is coming too. So as the team captain, what are you planning for next season?
Alexa: Well, our scouts have been hard at work, they've gotten me to look over some tape and see if I think anyone fits us well, but only Jimmy can really determine who we'll take. We have a few definite needs, and there's a player or two with big reputations that we're interested in at second overall, but I'm more focused on what comes after that. And that's the actual hitting the ice next season. I've challenged our guys to increase our wins from 19 this season to 30 or more next season, as we look to ramp up.

Q: Who do you think will be Scarecrow’s biggest obstacle in the coming season?
Alexa: Is it too cheesy to say ourselves? *laughs* I mean it, though. We're good enough to at least make some noise compared to the last few years, but we need to keep our eyes on the prize and build up that confidence. That's really what we lack, right now, winning experience to call on, so this is the season to try and get a lot of that. If it has to be another team, though... well, Carolina has always felt a little bit like a rival, so them?

Q: Alexa, will this be your last season with Scarecrow coming?
Alexa: I don't think so. Edmonton holds my SHL rights, but they're still in the 'gathering pieces' part of the rebuild, so the expectation I've been set is that they'll have me gain experience in the J for the full four seasons, of which I'm entering my third. If the situation there changes, though, my plans might need to change rapidly too.

Q: With the draft for the juniors coming this weekend that may be watching this. Can you impart some advice and wisdom for the new rookies?
Alexa: Hmm... don't get discouraged. You're likely to start with fewer minutes, lower in the depth chart, and if you start at the second or third line, there's a good chance your team is currently building. Just focus on improving your own game, and you'll do fine in the long run. And remember, this is just the J, you're only here a few seasons and then you hit the big time, so enjoy it, get to know your teammates.

I'm confident we can take a step in the right direction!

nice article both of you