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Pandar · 07-30-2015, 11:44 PM

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Ready for Grading

A man of few words, who has avoided the press throughout his career in Montreal finally decides to come forward to accept questions and give comments, following the game six elimination of the Montreal Impact in the 4 Star Cup Final.

What do you think went wrong in your series against the Whalers?
Personally or as a team? Personally, I was gripping the stick too tight, and I wasn’t placing my shots on the powerplay like I normally do. I also think that I wasn’t getting passes right on the shooter’s stick like I normally do, so people had to corral the puck more than I like to make them. I’m really struggling with the fact that I led my team in points both during the preseason and the regular season, and during the entire postseason I felt like I wasn’t performing the way I’m capable of offensively. There were some exceptions, but by and large, my personal performance was really disappointing to me, and it’s something I need to get over during the off season.

As a team, I think we let up too much defensively, and gave their top forwards too much space. We also didn’t generate enough offense in too many games.

Favourite moment of S24?
My favorite moment of S24 was probably our insane come from behind win in game 4 of the ‘Crows series. Not only was it my best game offensively of the post-season, but we won by scoring 5 goals in the 3rd. It was unreal. And don’t get me wrong, it would’ve been my favorite moment if I hadn’t registered a point. The turn in momentum and morale on both sides of the ice was like nothing I’d ever experienced before; it was a really fun time.

Goals for next season and beyond?
Next season, I mostly just don’t want to make a fool out of myself when I jump up to the SHL. I know that I’m capable of contributing, but I don’t want to cost my team more than I’m helping them. As for the future, I’d love to eventually become one of the top two d-men for West Kendall. I’d love to be Bojo’s defensive partner one day, particularly since I think that I’ll be hitting my prime while he’s still in the peak of his. Other than that, I’d just like to help make West Kendall competitive. It’s folly to set my goal at winning a cup, not because I think that the Platoon can’t do it, but because only one team per season gets to. I don’t want my career to be defined by winning awards and accolades, I want it to be defined by being respected by my teammates, our fans, and the league as a whole.

What are you going to take away from that tough game 6 loss?
I’m going to use the experience as motivation to improve my play. I know that there are areas of my game I need to work on and I think that the elevated level of competition in the playoffs helped illustrate which areas those were. While the sting of elimination is still with me, it’s already fading.

Any words for the Vancouver Whalers?
I’d like to congratulate the Whalers on their outstanding conclusion to their season. Like Montreal, no one took them seriously, and I love that they proved everyone wrong.

What do you think of the decision to trade the 6th overall pick?
I think that the return that we got was worth more to the immediate future of West Kendall than the 6th overall pick ever could. Birkavs is is an amazing center who will make our top line even more lethal than it was, while allowing Big Z to slot into the 2nd center position and provide a little more stability to that line, which admittedly struggled throughout last season. I know we’d have loved to have 2 top 10 picks, but this trade makes us a better team now.

How would you sum up your SMJHL career? Are you satisfied? Any regrets?
My SMJHL career was honestly surprising to me. I came into the league a quarter of the way into S23 and I had some growing pains. Even so, I was able to really find my footing and get some valuable time in all three phases of the game. But I really got a shock during my SHL entry draft. I was drafted between 6 and 10 spots higher than I was projected to, and I was honestly surprised that I was going that high. Then, it turned out that the faith that Bojo and the West Kendall scouting team put in me wasn’t in vain, as I managed to lead the Impact in points and assists this season. I also just found out that I tallied the third most assists (most since season 11), the second most minutes played, second most powerplay points, and most penalty kill minutes played on the Montreal Single Season record books. I am extremely satisfied with my SMJHL career, and I think I was able to meaningfully contribute at both ends of the ice at full strength, as well as being an important part of our special teams play. I can only hope to be as vital a cog to West Kendall during my SHL career. My only regrets are that I won’t get to continue playing with my Montreal teammates, both in the rookies that I met this season, and the players who made such a huge impact on me during my rookie season. Vliddy, Burton and Buzz, you guys made me feel welcome and I will miss you wonderful gentlemen all the time. Maybe we can grab some grub after games in the bigs down the line. The only other regret is that I wasn’t able to bring the 4 Star Cup to Montreal, but these playoffs will always be memorable to me.

What do you expect out of WKP next season?
I think that next season will be a season of growing pains for the Platoon. I think that we will be better than people expect, but I know that we have a very young defense right now. I think that we might be able to slide into the playoffs this season, but that we will only be getting better, and that we will be a force to be reckoned with for many seasons to come.

How would you like to see your career progress?
I’ve already spoken to this a little bit, but to flesh out my answer: I want to develop into a top-pairing defender, who is the player that the coach wants on the ice when we need to score, when we need to hold a lead, or with the goalie pulled. I want to be quarterback a powerplay unit, and be an anchor on the penalty kill. I’d love to be one of the faces of the West Kendall franchise. But above all, I want to earn it.

Thoughts on moving on up to the Platoon next year?
I’m a little worried that I’ll experience a lot of growing pains. I don’t want to slow my team down, and I know that I’ll take it personally almost every time a goal is scored on us while I’m on the ice. But I’ll be able to use that as motivation, and I’ll get better.

Favorite moment during your time as an Impact?
This postseason was some of the most exciting hockey I’ve ever been a part of. I hope to see many more postseasons with West Kendall, but I can only hope that they live up to this one.

Thoughts on your player during your tenure with the Impact?
I think I developed well throughout my tenure with Montreal. I think that I’m developing into exactly what I want to be: a defender who is focused on offense, while not being a liability on defense.

Where do you think you will be in the lineup next season with West Kendall?
I think that I’ll probably be slotting into the second pair on defense, which will likely be a tall order for me next season, but it’s an assignment that I think I’ll grow into pretty quickly.

Are we still gonna hang out?
Of course, Buzz! You’re the first friend I made in this league, and I don’t intend to forget that anytime soon (unless we’re playing Portland Tongue

)

Are you expecting any awards or nominations this offseason?
I’m certainly not expecting any awards or nominations, but I could see being nominated for both the Quilha Agante trophy (which I’m sure I wouldn’t win, Girard is a beast, and I’m expecting it to go to him in a walk) and possibly the Vyacheslav Onoprienko trophy, but maybe that’s just me thinking I’m underrated :D.

Who do you think will best fill your role on Montreal next season?
I think that my D partner, Wolff is primed to step up big next year on defense. Morenov will also give the Impact a nice foundation on D on which to build.

Are you excited about joining WKP this season?
I’m very excited and very nervous at the same time. The anticipation is killing me! I’m sure that my nerves will calm, once I’m actually playing in the big show!

What kind of moves do you wish you'd see happen for WKP?
I think that I’d really like to see WKP continue to build through drafting. I think that we’ve got a great core, and that with just a little bit of time, we’ll be a legitimate threat in the SHL. That being said, I’d love to see some of my Impact teammates come our way: Killington, Flacko, Falk and Welch all come to mind. I’d also love to get to play alongside Jasper Clayton some time that kid’s going places.

Is there going to be a Gibbs-Wagner rivalry now?
I doubt it. I won’t be surprised if we give each other some shit off-ice, but I can easily see us being defensive partners, so we’ll need to develop positive chemistry for that.

You and Fife gibbs were both top Dman for your respected teams. How will it be that you are now playing on the same team?
I’ll definitely feel a lot better knowing that his point shots are coming for me anymore  I’m really looking forward to playing for the same team, and I think it speaks volumes to Bojo’s drafting prowess that two of the top defenders in the SMJHL are prospects for WKP.

What has it been like since if youve been drafted by WKP ?
It’s been great, getting to interact with all of my future Platoon teammates, and I’ve appreciated all of the guidance they’ve given me. I’m looking forward to many seasons to come in a Platoon sweater!

Biggest off season goal?
My biggest goal is to get as SHL ready as I can. I’m going to focus on training all through the off-season. I’m hungry for success in West Kendall, and I plan to bring my A game!

Thank you all for coming, and I hope I’ve answered all of your questions. I’m going to head back to Germany to spend some time with my family and do some individual training, before I need to report to camp next season. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone next season! Vive L’Impact, and go Platoon!

Code:
Word Count: 1910 &nbsp;Thanks for the questions all!

carousel182 · 07-30-2015, 11:48 PM

What do you think went wrong in your series against the Whalers?

Favourite moment of S24?

Goals for next season and beyond?

Nereus · 07-30-2015, 11:54 PM

What are you going to take away from that tough game 6 loss?

Any words for the Vancouver Whalers?

Baelor Swift · 07-31-2015, 03:23 PM

What do you think of the decision to trade the 6th overall pick?

How would you sum up your SMJHL career? Are you satisfied? Any regrets?

What do you expect out of WKP next season?

How would you like to see your career progress?

ArGarBarGar · 07-31-2015, 03:23 PM

Thoughts on moving on up to the Platoon next year?

Favorite moment during your time as an Impact?

Thoughts on your player during your tenure with the Impact?

Where do you think you will be in the lineup next season with West Kendall?

Alonzo Garbanzo Final Tallies (Among Defensemen):
2nd in Goals (208), All-Time Assists Leader (765)*, All-Time Points Leader (973), 3rd in Hits (2587), All-Time Blocked Shots Leader (1882)*
*All-Time Leader Among All Skaters
Player Profile | Update Thread
[Image: IeEV7Iv.png]

GCool · 07-31-2015, 03:25 PM

Are we still gonna hang out? :((

Are you expecting any awards or nominations this offseason?

Who do you think will best fill your role on Montreal next season?

.bojo · 07-31-2015, 03:28 PM

Are you excited about joining WKP this season?

What kind of moves do you wish you'd see happen for WKP?

Is there going to be a Gibbs-Wagner rivalry now?

***Ohtaay*** · 07-31-2015, 04:32 PM

You and Fife gibbs were both top Dman for your respected teams. How will it be that you are now playing on the same team?

What has it been like since if youve been drafted by WKP ?

Biggest off season goal?

Pandar · 08-01-2015, 12:04 AM

Updated and ready for grading.

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