Jose Gonzalez

We caught up with Jose Gonzalez as he landed into McCarran Airport in Las Vegas coming from Halifax. Jose was drafted by Vegas in the S62 VHLM Dispersal Draft with his close friend Alexander Pepper. Jose is a 17 year old Reno native who has lived in Las Vegas for the past 8 years. 

Media: While you were sitting in those stands waiting for your name to be called what were you thinking?

Jose: I was Obviously hoping that I was drafted by specific teams and Vegas was number one on that list. While my suspected draft position came closer I heard that Vegas had traded for the draft I was expected to be picking in and needless to say I was very excited.

Media: You have lived in Vegas for a very long time did you ever root for the Aces?

Jose: Well of course I did, there isn't a team anywhere near Reno, so I grew up rooting for the Aces in the VHLM. 

Media: When we watch your videos of you in the leagues in Vegas you seemed to never play very good defense. Are you planning on working on that?
 
Jose: Yea of course I am going to work on that. I want to be the best hockey player I can be and currently my biggest weakness is my defense. I will of course continue working on my shooting, but right not my biggest priority is becoming better at defense.

Media: Last year you scored 29 goals in just 52 games in that league, do you think that you can keep those numbers up in the VHLM?
 
Jose: It is going to be difficult, but I think i can do it. The VHLM is very tough league but this isn't my final goal, that is to end up in the VHL. I think most young aspiring hockey players are now trying to reach the VHL.
 
Media: The previous draft class had multiple players from Vegas, do you think this is a trend we could see grow more?
 
Jose: I think Vegas is a growing hockey town. The city has fallen in love with the Aces, and they are raising their kids watching the games. I think if you would have walked down the roads just a few years ago, and asked people if they knew the rules of hockey most would of just said that the didn't. This has changed as the city adores hockey as it is the first sport to try out Vegas as a home.
 
Media: Do you think that the new management with the Aces could help the team?

Jose: Of course I think they can. The change in ownership will hopefully help propel the team forward and possibly even get a cup soon. Vegas definitely wants it.
 
Media: You got drafted just before Alexander Pepper, are you going to give him a hard time about that?
 
Jose: Well of course I am, we are very close and being drafted by the same team is made us both very happy.
 
Media: Well Jose I hope you had a nice flight and good luck on the upcoming season.
 
Jose: Thanks for having me and thanks for the good luck.

We caught up with Jose Gonzalez as he landed into McCarran Airport in Las Vegas coming from Halifax. Jose was drafted by Vegas in the S62 VHLM Dispersal Draft with his close friend Alexander Pepper. Jose is a 17 year old Reno native who has lived in Las Vegas for the past 8 years. 

Media: While you were sitting in those stands waiting for your name to be called what were you thinking?

Jose: I was Obviously hoping that I was drafted by specific teams and Vegas was number one on that list. While my suspected draft position came closer I heard that Vegas had traded for the draft I was expected to be picking in and needless to say I was very excited.

Media: You have lived in Vegas for a very long time did you ever root for the Aces?

Jose: Well of course I did, there isn't a team anywhere near Reno, so I grew up rooting for the Aces in the VHLM. 

Media: When we watch your videos of you in the leagues in Vegas you seemed to never play very good defense. Are you planning on working on that?
 
Jose: Yea of course I am going to work on that. I want to be the best hockey player I can be and currently my biggest weakness is my defense. I will of course continue working on my shooting, but right not my biggest priority is becoming better at defense.

Media: Last year you scored 29 goals in just 52 games in that league, do you think that you can keep those numbers up in the VHLM?
 
Jose: It is going to be difficult, but I think i can do it. The VHLM is very tough league but this isn't my final goal, that is to end up in the VHL. I think most young aspiring hockey players are now trying to reach the VHL.
 
Media: The previous draft class had multiple players from Vegas, do you think this is a trend we could see grow more?
 
Jose: I think Vegas is a growing hockey town. The city has fallen in love with the Aces, and they are raising their kids watching the games. I think if you would have walked down the roads just a few years ago, and asked people if they knew the rules of hockey most would of just said that the didn't. This has changed as the city adores hockey as it is the first sport to try out Vegas as a home.
 
Media: Do you think that the new management with the Aces could help the team?

Jose: Of course I think they can. The change in ownership will hopefully help propel the team forward and possibly even get a cup soon. Vegas definitely wants it.
 
Media: You got drafted just before Alexander Pepper, are you going to give him a hard time about that?
 
Jose: Well of course I am, we are very close and being drafted by the same team is made us both very happy.
 
Media: Well Jose I hope you had a nice flight and good luck on the upcoming season.
 
Jose: Thanks for having me and thanks for the good luck.

Jose Gonzalez born in Reno, Nevada played hockey in his time living in Reno and in Vegas. When he started playing in leagues it was obvious that Jose had something special so he decided to pursue the VHL. His time in Vegas showed a lot about his personality and how he deals with being down in games.
 
Age: 17
Position: LW
Height: 68 in.
Weight: 192 lbs.
Birthplace: Reno Nevada USA



Strengths:
 
Gonzalez spends a lot of his time practicing accuracy and it shows with his ability to hit the corners consistently. Gonzalez has stated that he will continue this amount of practicing but maybe change the other aspects to make himself more well rounded. Gonzalez is one of the quicker skaters in the VHLM S61 draft this shows often when in games he just skates past opponents who simply can't keep up. Gonzalez has worked on his discipline giving him a distinct advantage over much of the competition where that is their weakest point.  
Weaknesses:
Gonzalez is extremely weak in his own zone often being a very big reason for opponents goals. He has stated many times that he wants to change this and make himself much more rounded. Faceoffs as a LW Gonzalez won't have to take as many faceoffs as a center would, but if their center gets kicked out of the faceoff it is almost guaranteed that the opponent will win the faceoff with Gonzalez being one if not the weakest rookie with faceoffs. His ability to check, throughout his career in leagues in Vegas, Gonzalez showed that he does not like checking. The few times that he does check it often is either illegal or so weak that the other player can just check Gonzalez off his feet. If Gonzalez stands any chance in the big leagues this is something he must change FAST.  
All in all Gonzalez does have some potential, but he must work on his strength and his D or he will be eaten alive out the the big leagues. He is a very solid shooter, but if you don't need a shooter then Gonzalez will not suit your team because he isn't the greatest passer in the draft. Hopefully we can see Gonzalez improve and see this young player go from one of the weakest LW in the VHLM to a star player in the VHL. The only way to tell is to wait and see. 
 
 

This is nothing I say against this article, everything about this feels perfect. The placement of the image, the light-hearted fun fact, the very good information about the player and how he changed over the last week. Very very nice article

We asked Finnish prospect Juri Ryoken some questions,and here are some of our questions.
 
Juri Ryoken is a 18 year Finnish prospect born in Helsinki, Finland. Standing at 6'5'' and weighing in at 190 pounds. Juri will be drafted into the VHLM with the class of S62 and the VHL in S63.
 
I- When you were a kid did you always look to joining the VHL or did you ever think of joining one of the Finnish or Swedish leagues?
 
J- I always looked forward to playing professionally no matter what the field, but as I developed my skill and became the player I am I found myself think of playing with the best of the best. As I grew up my end goal was to play where ever the best players play and right now thats the VHL.
 
I- Have you ever played internationally, and if you haven't are you worried about not being good enough for the international teams?
 
J- No I have not played Internationally, and yes its quite frightening. No Fin has ever played in this Generation of the VHL so if im one of the first I am carrying a lot of weight on my shoulders.  We have a team here but no Fins so i hope to make my country proud and show that Fins can play with the rest of em.
 
I- When we watch you playing in high school we see a very offensive defensemen. Are you looking to bring that into the VHLM, or are you going to call down a little bit?
 
J- I look to bring my offense to the table. Me being able to step up has not affected my Defensive play. I look to do what my team needs me to do in a situation that is presented to me. If it becomes a problem I might calm down until i can bring that playstyle back into my game.
 
I- What team are you hoping picks you this year for the VHLM draft and then for the VHL draft?
 
J- For VHLM the Saskatoon Wild, It looks like they need some help and i want to prove what i can do in a situation to help a team. As for VHL Helsinki, playing for my hometown team would be my dream.
 
I- When you were playing for the Finnish Liiga you score an amazing 11 goals could you explain how you can do that while still playing some amazing defense?
 
J- I have to give a lot to having an amazing team with me, but being able to play on the power play is a big part of that. In the end I have to give it to my hockey sense being able to know when to step up or cool off at the right time. Just knowing where the puck is going to be is a good thing to have on the ice.
 
I- Since there are ccurrently so few defenceman are you predicting to be put into a higher draft pick then you normally would or do you expect that not to effect you draft pick?
 
J- It will probably effect my draft position if a team really needs a Dman. but I would like to have more compition and be picked because of my talent not because there isnt much to chose from.
 
I- As you already know Helsinki is historically the best team in the VHL are you hoping that you can bring that back or will you settle for just playing in Helsinki?
 
J- I want to bring that back. I'm looking for a big W no matter where I land.