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Canuckstudmuffin · 09-24-2016, 11:33 PM

***ready for grading***

After being drafted by the Calgary Dragons Dragons

at 40th overall, Nathan Russett agreed to sit down with the team's management for an introductory interview. After a surprising rookie year with the Montreal Militia, the Dragons were happy to pick Russett up as late as they did.

First I want to welcome you to the Dragons, we were very happy to draft you, what has your experience been like so far?

Thank you for the warm welcome, I feel so fortunate to be a member of such a successful organization. Everyone on the Dragons has been very welcoming to me since the draft day. Going into the draft I was very nervous about where I would end up, and if I would like the locker room of the team that drafts me. Well I couldn't have asked for a better situation here in Calgary. Everyone has done an amazing job of helping me start my career as a member of the Calgary Dragons by integrating me into the locker room. I'm really excited for my future here.

Were the Dragons one of the teams you saw yourself going to in the draft or was it a complete surprise?

To be completely honest, I had no clue as to where I might end up after the draft. I've tried not to get too caught up in this whole draft day business, as I figured I wouldn't be going until the later rounds, so I didn't have any firm idea of who would pick me. Growing up in Portland it would've been an amazing experience to play for the Admirals, so they were definitely one of my preferred teams, but other than that I was just happy to be involved in the whole experience of the season 31 draft, and to be picked by the Dragons is just helping my dream of playing in the SHL become more of a reality.

Did you see yourself going before pick 40? After? Or was that about where you thought you'd be drafted?

Seeing my name called in the third round was a bit of a surprise, since I didn't expect to go before the fourth round. I know that I led the other rookies on my team in scoring, but I figured there are plenty of other players around the SMJHL that were more deserving than me, and since I was drafted later in the SMJHL draft, I expected the same to happen here.

There's nothing wrong with being the 40th pick in a draft this deep, but does it make you have a little chip on your shoulder and want to make other teams regret passing on you?

I always want to play in a way that gets the attention of others, whether it's a flashy pass to a teammate or a wicked goal late in the game. I was part of a draft year that was one of the deepest in terms of talent and activity, and so I try and do anything that will get the attention of others, otherwise I would just be another name from that season 30 SMJHL draft. I understand the depth of this draft pool and that there are plenty of skilled players taken late, so my main motivator is that I don't want to be just another name. At the end of the day, I don't care about my draft number. I just want other teams to realize that, as deep as this draft pool was, I strive to be the best I can be, and that I have skills to offer that can help any team.

One of your new teammates Nicholas Pedersen was taken 42nd overall in the S20 draft, he is now one of the league's best players. Does a story like that prove that draft position is simply a number and it's what you do after the draft that matters?

Definitely. In every draft there are people called in later rounds. That's just how it goes. But what separates Pedersen and me from those other names is we don't get disappointed by the number. We use that as motivation to go out and play the best that we possibly can. Ultimately, the draft can be hit and miss. It's difficult to judge the success of a player before they've played in the league, which is why the order in the draft doesn't matter much. Despite being drafted 40th overall, I want to prove that I am one of the best players there is.

Your GM in Montreal is now a teammate of yours in Calgary, is that something you're excited about, potentially lining up alongside Randleman one day?

Ballerstorm has been a pleasure to work with as a manager, and I imagine playing next to him will be pretty similar. Just like everyone else in the Calgary locker room, he's been super supportive and helpful, and a lot of my successes can be attributed to him. Early on in the season, he asked if I could alter my training plan in a way that would help the team more. Ideally I see myself as a playmaker, but he wanted me to fill more of a sniper role last season since that's what the team needed. Ultimately it helped me have a much more successful season, and it just goes to show how wise he is about the game and how he has helped me succeed.

What was the feeling to see you were drafted along with fellow Montreal teammate Marcos Maciel?

To be drafted is one thing. To be drafted with a fellow teammate is more than I could've ever hoped for coming out of the season 31 draft. Maciel has been a great teammate after Ballerstorm signed as a free agent, and he stepped up a lot over the course of the season, actually finishing the year playing on our second line. He's been a great guy to have around in the locker room and on the ice, so I'm excited to continue my career in Montreal and Calgary playing with him.

How about Joe Kurczewski, what do you think of your other fellow Dragons draftee?

I haven't really been following Kurczewski much to be honest, since I've been mostly focused on getting myself adjusted to the league and being active in my own locker room. I've heard some great things about him, and I look forward to playing him in the SMJHL next season to see what he'll be like as a teammate in Calgary.

How would you describe your game on the ice?

When I'm out on the ice I'm always looking to create plays with my line that will push the puck up the ice and gain us offensive zone possession time. I like possessing the puck, but I also love to make creative passes and setups for my teammates. I always want my teammates to succeed, and normally I try doing that by giving them the puck whenever possible. Last season I filled more of a sniper role since that's what the team needed, whereas I normally like to be a playmaker. I think that speaks to my role, the fact that I can adjust to play how the team needs me to play.

We heard your jersey was one of the top sellers in Montreal this past season among female fans ages 18-24. Is that true? Why so popular with the young ladies?

It's just one of those things I guess. I can't really explain it, but there's always a group of young ladies holding a sign with my name and number on it at every home game.

What are some of your goals for the upcoming season in Montreal?

I'm looking forward to playing a significantly higher amount of minutes. I've been training my endurance and my defensive skills so that I can be more reliable and consistent throughout an entire 60 minute game, instead of playing sheltered minutes on the fourth line. Statistically, I'm aiming to raise my points to 35-40, up from my 27 this past season. I also started working on my defense midway through last season, and because I was late to start training it my +/- suffered. I hope to raise that stat as well, and keep it positive all season. Locker room wise, I plan to step up as more of a team leader, and make my presence known vocally. I hope to help my team bounce back from last season, start out strong, and help Montreal win the Four Star Cup.

What part of your game will you look to develop in your sophomore season?

I hope to return to my playmaking self this year, to step in for Nolan Angello. I plan to work primarily on my passing, then I want to focus more on my defense and endurance, since those can always be improved. Last season I felt like I had limited power in swaying the outcome of any given game, since I was limited to the fourth line. This year I want to feel more pressure to succeed, which will hopefully come if I play more minutes.

Why will Montreal win the Four Star Cup this year?

Although we're losing some key players, and one of our goalies got traded away, I believe we're in much better shape than last season. Montreal had a lot of rookies in the lineup all season, and it took us until about halfway through the season to really find our stride. Now that we've got the big kinks sorted out and we have some chemistry developed, I think we're going to be a force out on the ice for season 31. Stephen Harris is going to be a beast in net, and our forward group is going to be on fire all season. Four Star Cup here we come!

Word count: 1640

Steelhead77 · 10-02-2016, 01:55 PM

Wow this must have been graded and buried quick, just seeing it. :lol:

Awesome Interview! The Dragons are happy to have you! <a href='index.php?showuser=2317' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Canuckstudmuffin</a>

Cheers

---> ParmBorg Highlights <---

#1 All-Time SHL Goal & Point Scorer
- First 2,000 TPE Player in SHL History -
- First 400 Goal Scorer in SHL History -
- Only 500 Goal Scorer in SHL History -
- First GM to Win 5 & 6 Challenge Cups -
Esa Anrikkanen Award - SMJHL ROY - Est. S34
Vidrik Onoprienko Award Winner - S45

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