#AsktheBouch: End of another season

[Gaikoku-hito 2,156]

 

Here we are again with another season ending article of #asktheBouch as the Prague Phantoms once again have lost in six games to Warsaw Predators. Robert Bouchard once again joins us giving us his thoughts after the season came to an end only a few hours ago.

 

So here we are again after a disappoint lose in the play-offs; what are your thoughts at the moment?

“As always disappointment as we are always looking to lift the cup at the end of the season. Most teams and players set goals for themselves; which most are usually obtained so when we set a goal and we fail or fall short it becomes very personal.”

 

The end of the series also see the end of a great Prague players career, what are your thoughts about the players that are heading into retirement?

“Again I feel disappointed for them as we all want to end our careers on a high note but once again we fell short of our expectations. It is tough to swallow right now.”

 

With the players retiring Prague Phantoms enter an transition season, what are you expecting as you will now be looked at a leader for the team?

“Well, We do have a lot of the core guys still returning with John, Dom and Danny; plus myself at the forward positions. I think the majority of the defenders are returning as well and a huge resigning in Gyrfalcon as he will tend the nets for the foreseeable future. But yes, it is scary to think a season ago I was third line inexperienced center and next season I head into the locker room as a first line center depending on off season transactions and I am going to be expected to show the younger players how to be a professional player. It also exciting as I think we still have a very good core and we can still very much add to what we have.”

 

We cannot end without mentioning that you actually lead your team in scoring during these last play-offs. What does it mean to you being a player that the team expects to lead them?

“We putting a side all the disappointment it was nice to have a breakout season and start to understand that I am a top forward within the league. I have very clearly been underrated by a lot of people around the league but I am actually used to that since I was completely shafted in my VHLM finals season. I am looking forward to the challenge of leading Prague for the next few years if that is what our GM D-A wants but at the end I am focused on improving myself and helping the team win; which is why from a team aspect we failed this season again so we must simple come back better next season.”

 

(480 words)