#AsktheBouch: Off-Season

[Gaikoku-hito 2,081]

Here we are for the first time in our history if I remember correctly actually talking to the Prague Phantoms center Robert Bouchard during the off season and will get his thoughts on what has been an interesting off season so far league wide.

 

Good afternoon Robert, What do you think of the weather we are currently having here in Japan?

“Well they do call it the rainy season for a reason. The rain I actually don’t mind that much but the heat is a killer as it never cools off here in the night as it stays around 26 degrees before climbing into the high 30’s every day. And the rain and it is very muggy. Not to mention uncomfortable most of the time.”

 

How do you actually sleep in this weather?

“Air conditioning running 24-7 is how but it still takes it toll so thankfully we will be back in Prague in a few weeks; were it is a tad cooler.”

 

So lets talk about Prague, First day of the official off-season and chance for the team to improve. They didn’t waste any time adding picking Thightraps from Seattle. What do you think about the trade and what does this mean for you in the up coming season?

“Very good trade since we didn’t give up any players to acquire a very good player. We also needed another center as I think I was the only center on the roster so it makes a lot of sense from a team standpoint to make this trade.”

 

What does this mean for you this season and your role with the team?

“Doesn't change as we laugh but are also serious that it seems like me and Dom really don’t play well together so it was discussed keeping us on different lines so this gives the team options to move the core players around the line-up and determine who plays well with each other. End of last season I was playing very well with John and Danny; who are both back with the team so I am hoping we are still paired together heading into the new season. We will find out come training camp.”

 

If you were the GM of the Prague Phantoms; what would you look to do to help the team?

“First off that is an unfair question as I am not the GM of the team. I am a player and I can only focus on what I can do off the ice and on the ice to help team from a personal standpoint. I cannot control what the team does in the way of player management. I trust the management and we will see what the final roster looks like when we enter training camp in a week.”

 

Once again thank you for your time and we will hopefully catch back up right before the season starts or shortly after the start depending on a few different things as the hugely popular series of #AsktheBouch continues into season 79.