[Ready to be graded][2162 words, by my count]

Big news in the SMJHL breaking on Sunday night. 4th Round pick Clayton Fuller was traded. No longer a member of the Vancouver Whalers, Fuller is now to don the Black and Silver of the Halifax Raiders. Joining us today is Fuller to give us his thoughts on his time with the Whalers, the trade, and how he’s adjusting to being with the Raiders. Clayton, thanks for joining us.

Clayton Fuller: Thanks for having me again!

Last time we spoke, you were heading into the SMJHL Entry Draft. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience, what it meant to be drafted, and your initial thoughts?

Clayton Fuller: Sure. The draft was everything I expected, and more. The excruciating wait leading up to it was certainly something that was full-fledged when it hit me – just as I expected. You fill out all of these combines, prospect interest threads, and all while trying to get a feel for being around the league, not missing any training or TPE opportunities. It was slightly overwhelming, but I made it though. The night of the draft was phenomenal as well. I wasn’t very vocal about where I wanted to go. I didn’t want to make any enemies before the draft, and I stuck to that. Even though there were some places that piqued my interest more while on the clock, I wasn’t going to have a negative attitude or connotation about anywhere I went. Just sitting there, you start thinking to yourself, ‘wow, no more picks for the first round.. now no second round picks. Wow, this draft is flying by.’ I actually got to the point in the third round where I counted all of the prospects to see if it was possible to go undrafted. This was my first time around this, I didn’t know. Finally after refreshing the page for what seemed like the millionth time, I see in green bolded text, ‘With the 26th Overall Pick in the SMJHL S26 Entry Draft, the Vancouver Whalers Select, Clayton Fuller. Welcome to the Club Swimbizzilin.’ I actually refreshed and read it again. It was exciting to get drafted in the top half. For a team to take me in the fourth round, it was pretty special. I looked at our other picks and remember being a little discouraged that we had taken three defenseman before me, but whatever, I was on a team. After seeing the warm reception in the locker room, I was actually excited to be a member of the Whalers. The preseason had started, VLAD was a stud and I was seeing the ice a fair amount. Things were off to a great start.

So Sunday night, the trade goes down. How do you find out about it?

Clayton Fuller: My email starts going off, I’m mid game, slaying a game of DoTA2, and check it quick. “New personal message received SHL Hockey!”. Knowing it’s the preseason, I think that it can wait. After my game ends I see that I have 3 new messages. Still not having a clue what’s going on, I open the first from JHS. He explains that I’ve been traded but that it’s best for their defense and my player that the trade happened. My thoughts at this point are, well, didn’t expect to have been traded this early, but things happen. To be honest, it didn’t really come off as the most considerate email. It was kind of a I-just-traded-you-and-I-have-an-implied-GM-responsibility-to-let-you-know type thing. At this point I was pretty upset, I went from a team that had high repeat aspirations, to a team that was an expansion. The 2nd PM was from vbottas17, welcoming me to my new team. He expressed how he was surprised that they’d even consider trading me and that I was a target before the draft. He also sent me a link to the team chatzy which I checked out and was able to meet my new teammates. I was surprised to see how warm the reception was. I’m sure it helped that I was the only new arrival, rather than a whole draft class in one night. We talked a little bit about the trade pieces. I still don’t know the exact details, but if I remember correctly, it was all draft picks, and then me. Seeing that, I instantly was thinking about how Vancouver was comfortable trading a true rookie for some unknowns, guys who haven’t declared for the draft or haven’t even been conceptualized yet. I mean I guess if you want to bet against Clayton Fuller, you’re free to do so, but that’s no bet I’d take. I’ve done nothing in this league yet, but that night, I wanted to succeed so badly in order to make the Whalers realize that they’d made a mistake. However, since then, I realize that I’m ready to succeed with my team and that becoming a desired piece by other teams, former and teams I haven’t played for alike, is just the kicker. The final PM was from ORIGINSZ. He mentioned that I wasn’t the first guy they wanted to deal, but I brought the best yield. Maybe I wasn’t the first guy that you wanted to trade, but in the end, I was the guy you traded. Like I just said, hopefully those picks work out, because I know that they’re going to have a lot of work to do to keep up with me, let alone be better than me.

How have the guys in Halifax responded to adding you to the team?

Clayton Fuller: I’d say it’s been really well. Between the chatzy and my locker room access kicking in last night, I haven’t had a ton of time to talk with a lot of guys, but vbottas and Carly Rae Gemson have been two guys who have been really positive in my transition so far. vbottas has definitely made me feel welcomed and Carly Rae Gemson has made the whole team aware of several opportunities that the team doesn’t want to miss (Post-Game recaps, and PT #1). I guess we’ll get the true answer to this question over the next couple of days.

Who was your favourite Whaler while you were there? (Please say me http://us22.chatzy.com/elements/smileys/default/wink.png )

Clayton Fuller: It's tough to say, you know, there were so many people who were vocal in that locker room. I also spent so little time there that I didn't really have time to develop a favorite. I was in the process of moving into a new house, so the internet and time just wasn't there to be as engaged in conversations as I wanted to be. Dangles certainly was the face of the rookies. Wanted to get people involved, and wasn't shy. Also we were a defensive pairing during the preseason for some time. So yeah, we can go with Dangles haha.

Do you expect to have a bigger role with the Raiders?

Clayton Fuller: Absolutely. Instantly move up to the second line. My mpg is up to right above 20 for now, I think I was at about 16 over the preseason in Vancouver. I think the Raiders also have room for me. When the dust settled, it became apparent that Vancouver was a clique that you fit or you didn't and I was the didn't for them. I'll have an opportunity to not only have an impact on the ice, but also create something that our future draftees can be proud of. To be apart of the crew that gets the ball rolling is something I can do in Halifax and also something that Vancouver couldn't offer. I certainly would've welcomed my role in Vancouver, but it is also really cool for the opportunity to accelerate my growth and know that I won't be stuck on the outside all season long. So yes, I expect to have a bigger role here.

Do you now consider the Whalers rivals?

Clayton Fuller: *laughs* I mean don't the laws of sports say I have to? Haha, joking aside, I don't know if rivalry is the right word. I'll have some extra motivation and drive when I suit up against them, but a rivalry isn't a rivalry if it only goes one way. Maybe the first game or two, someone makes a comment about the previous ties, but come the end of the season, and the SHL draft, I think everyone will have forgotten I was even drafted by them. I'll also add that I'm not interested in creating enemies on this site. Running a team is a business and you need to make certain moves that you feel put you in a position to succeed. JHS felt that he needed to move me in order for his team to be more successful, and that he could get equal or better players out of the picks he received, and that's his opinion. I'd agree with him but then we'd both be wrong haha just kidding with that last part. So know, I don't think there is a rivalry, just another incentive to be the best player I can be.

The 500K from the rookie auction that you received came from JHS, how do you plan on spending it? Revenge?

Clayton Fuller: Training. Or equipment. One of those two for sure. Rookies have a hard time coming across large amounts of cash early in their careers, so anything I can put towards TPE, I'm going to do so. I saw that he had bid 500k, but I wasn't sure if that's where it was going to end or not. If you read this JHS, thanks! I believe he bid higher than dangles because he didn't want a rookie spending their money on a signature.

Do you feel the coaching staff has been using Fuller in the proper role at this stage if his career?

Clayton Fuller: Yeah, I mean at this stage in my career, I just need ice time. Being out there is going to let me see which areas of my build need to be addressed. The coaching staff has been really great so far. They've let me know that I'm going to be playing an important role in the defense. That's about all I can really ask for at this point. It'll be interesting to see how the roles of each individual on this team change and mold as we all grow together over the course of the season. I'm excited for myself, the coaching staff, and every player on this roster.

What type of player would you like to see Fuller develop into at the SHL level?

Clayton Fuller: At the SHL level, I hope to be a great blue line defender. I think that many forwards are built to be scorers and so when you commit TPE to defense as a defender, you're already behind those guys. In my opinion it's really really tough to have your scoring at high level to consecutively make an impact without neglecting your defensive end. That's why I want to be able to pass the puck really really well once I get up ice. If I can make an impact on the offense without ever leaving the blue line, we'll be in great shape. I certainly realize that there is a lot to learn about this game though, so if the SHL team that drafts me, sees some other role I can play, I'm certainly not set on that being my role.

What area do you think Fuller will improve in the most this season?

Clayton Fuller: Oh boy, this is a toughy. Right now, I feel that there is so much that I need to get better at that it's hard to pick one area. I think that the area that I'll improve on most this year is recognizing where my build needs work. As I see more games played, and more ice time, I'll have a better idea of where I need to improve. I also think that while you have an end build in mind, the route you take to get there will rely on the team around you and the role that they need you to fill. So in my opinion, this is going to depend on how the season progresses.

The Whalers are going to be sorry they lost you, you'll do great for Halifax!

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Originally posted by Eggy216@Aug 26 2015, 02:17 PM
The Whalers are going to be sorry they lost you, you'll do great for Halifax!

Thanks man! I also forgot to mention that I'm opening this up to questions!

Feel free to ask away.

Who was your favourite Whaler while you were there? (Please say me )
Do you expect to have a bigger role with the Raiders?
Do you now consider the Whalers rivals?
The 500K from the rookie auction that you received came from JHS, how do you plan on spending it? Revenge?

This is such a great article, perfect player for the Halifax organization.

Do you feel the coaching staff has been using Fuller in the proper role at this stage if his career?

What type of player would you like to see Fuller develop into at the SHL level?

What area do you think Fuller will improve in the most this season?

Bump, ready to be graded.

Not sure if this is necessary, please let me know if I've done wrong.