#AsktheBouch: Week One of the VHL Season & Hot Starts?

[Gaikoku-hito 2,081]

 

With the VHL season starting to get into full swing of things with already fifteen games under their belts after the open week of the season. We were able to catch-up with sophomore Prague Phantoms player Robert Bouchard to continue the on going series that started a little under three years ago; that we call #AsktheBouch.

 

So the season has started and how has everything been going so far in Prague?

RB: It has been a fantastic start to the season for the team with I think an 11-4 record; which is better then I would have expected that this point of the season. My aim is for your team to make the play-offs so leading the division and being a top team in the league at this point is very nice added bonus but it is still very tight as we are only five points from being fifth in the division as well. 

 

Last time we talked you mentioned insecurity about your role with Prague and expected lack of production has this been the case so far this season?

RB: Insecurities have been somewhat exactly as I expected but done differently then I expected as I was right that I have been placed on the third line center role and limited to eight to nine mintues of ice time but since I am playing the PP & PK I can bump this ice time up to around twenty mintues per game. It not what I want or expected heading into this season but so far I cannot complain too much as I am also second in scoring on the team at the moment with fifteen points.

 

So assuming that you continue to produce at the current rate; do you think you will earn more ice time as the season progresses?

RB: Something that I wouldn’t really like to comment on since I cannot control the ice time that I get but rather I need to focus on the ice time that I do get and produce when I am on the ice. If I do my part then it opens up the debate that I have earned more ice time in the future. So I will continue to focus on myself and let the management make the off ice decisions. Like lines combos and ice time for the team as that is what they are paid the big dollars for right?

 

Any projections for the following week or comments about what you expect for the rest of the season?

RB: Really I take the season day by day and I have learned to self focus as if I continue to do what I am paid to do then the team should be winning. I have also learned never expect anything or project anything as it is only going to limit the ability to adapt to the unexpected. Only truth I know is always expect the unexpected as nothing ever goes as you expect it should.

 

As the VHL season heads into the second week of scheduled games many more question will arise as the season progresses. Will the Prague Phantoms continue the hot start to the season? Will Bouchard continue to produce with limited ice time on the third line? And will Prague work their way into being views as Cup contenders this season? All might be answered next time as we continue the series #AsktheBouch.

 

(words 567)