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LTH · 08-30-2015, 07:46 PM

Today I was officially named the senddown alternate captain of the Prince George Firebirds. I want to take this time to address any questions you may have for me and before then I have a prepared statement to make. As a tradition in the Prince George/ Regina organization, past and current players vote on who is named the captain and the two other alternates. The captain and one alternate is always only won by 2 rookies and the senddown is always obviously a sent down player from the SHL. That being said, me being voted alternate with teammates like Fleming, Taylor, Prince, Robinson, and Webb is an absolute honor and Im willing to prove on the ice and in the locker room how I deserve this.

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DJ Stanley skating around before a game.

As my locker room and some members around the league know, I will be going MIA for a few days. I move in a week and 3 days (or September 9th) and I may not have Internet connection for a few days. Even if I do there is no guarantee that I will have the time to come on here as much as I would like to. That being said as soon as I get settled in, I have a ton of media articles planned. Like my interviews will be coming back and I have some surprises that I don't want to flat out leak yet. So be on the look out for some of that coming up. With all of that being said, I will now take any and all questions about anything on the earth.

Do you look up to any SHL players? If so, who?
I dont really look up to a certain player in the SHL, but I do have some core guys I have to thank for helping geting me where I am thus far in my career. Travis Kudleychuk is absolutley one of those guys. Since the day I signed here he was always in the locker room and helped me with any questions that I had. We got a little locker room chemestry as I started to heat up and I dont know if I ever thanked him, but I am now. Also, I have to thank Randy Randleman. He is such a great person and should be someone younger members should look up to. I came to him with advice on my build once and he went above and beyond in giving me advice and to this point, its working. Also playing the Chel beta with you and some of the other fellas was beyond fun as fuck. Besides them, its the usual cast of characters I thank about every chance I get. Incase you guys forget who, Lunaro and Rublic, Brandon my SHL GM, Robb Wind for helping bring me into Buffalo, the whole Firebirds locker room for Season 24 and this season for that matter. Sparks Lightning for being my linemate for 2 straight seasons, but when we both play for Portland and Buffalo we got to throw the hands for shits and giggles. Wink

And who can forget the S25 Bond of Friendship, Luke Fleming. For being the best 1st line center and teammate ever.
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Buy your Bond of Friendship; Too Sweet Rally Towels today!

Interview

What are the strengths of the Prince George Firebirds?
We are putting the puck in the back of the net better than almost every team in the league right now. Statistically (as of Day 19) we are 2nd in the league in goals per game at 3.67 and we have a goals against average of 2.95 which is 3rd best in the league, Combining those into the Goals For and Goals against percentage were 2nd there with 125.71% So were putting the puck in the net and keeping it out of our own. Not to mention both of our goalies at one point in the season were 1 and 2 in save percentage. But I think its all credit to the defense we've been playing. We've been shutting it down which has been leading to chances on the other end.

Interview

What are the weaknesses of the Prince George Firebirds?
I think our special teams right now needs to be the focus of our team to adjust. Were in the bottom half on both sides of ice and if we want to win the cup, getting powerplay goals and killing off penalties is a huge key to that. We lead the league in penalties per game with 15 pims a game. Our PK is at 79% which is slightly above average but if we wasnt taking as many penalties, I feel as if it would be higher. Now our power play might need some tinkering in the near future as were at the bottom 2 there. But there is still plenty of hockey left in the season and I think theres no rush or cause of panic any time soon.

Interview

Do you expect to see yourself in the SHL next season?
As of right now, the plan was to stay down here in Prince George for the season and get the call up next season. But plans change. I have no personally heard anything that hints at changing that plan so as of right now, Yes I see myself in Buffalo next season.

Interview

Do you see your team making a deep playoff run this year?
Absolutely yes. I think this team has all the tools to make a deep run and even a championship run. We have the veterans leading the way for the rookies to take our place but at the same time, were winning games. We have some things we should work on, but we have plenty of time to adjust those and once we do, we'll be a "force" out there on the ice.

Interview

Any rookies that we should keep our eyes on?
I think Eion (pernounced Owen) McGregor and Scott Robinson are both great players and I think any SHL GM should have them on thier draft boards. They're going to be great players and hopefully a 4 Star cup would help boost thier draft stocks.

Interview

Favorite type of letter?
Since my first name has no vowels in it, Id have to go with consonants.

Interview

Favorite type of lemon pie?
Yes.

Interview

Hockey?
Hockey.

Interview

Who's the coolest guy in the LR?
Its a toss up, Patty Brumm is pretty awesome guy. Kuddles is a rad fellow himself and all the alumni that still come back are all pretty enjoyable to talk to. But by far, the coolest guy in the locker room has to be the man himself, Sparks Lightning.

Interview

What kind of music do you guys pump in the LR?
Everyone has thier own tastes in music, I tend to keep mine in my headphones, but depending on who we play it fluctuates. For instance, if we got a game against the Whalers, then I listen to death metal to get pumped for a physical game, but any other team, I listen to any thing else just to clear my head out and get ready. But my favorite song to listen to before a game has to be either "Kill Steen Kill", or "This Fire Burns" By Killswitch Engage. (Im a huge wrestling fan so wrestling themes are a common for me)

Interview

Favorite part about being a firebird?
My favorite part of being a firebird is just how great everyone is. Seems like every year we get a great class of rookies and a mixture of people still on the team coming in to talk about anything were talking about in our locker room and the alumni coming back and engaging in conversation with everyone. Its like theres that brotherhood with every Firebird alumni. I absolutely love it here in Prince George and I wouldnt trade it away for the world.

Interview

Highlights of the season so far?
As of right now, its leading the league in faceoff percentage. I was brought into Prince George undrafted because of how well I am in the faceoff circle. But now that Ive completely shattered everyones expectations of me, to know that Ive come full circle and it still comes natural to me is a fantastic feeling.

Interview

Easton, bauer, or ccm?
Right now, I use Bauer but I might be going retro for the next stretch of games and going with Sherwood with the throw back Jofa helmet if the SMJHL would even let me wear one of those.

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Nereus · 08-30-2015, 08:00 PM

Do you look up to any SHL players? If so, who?

What are the strengths of the Prince George Firebirds?

What are the weaknesses of the Prince George Firebirds?

Do you expect to see yourself in the SHL next season?

Do you see your team making a deep playoff run this year?