Rookie Experience - Harry Callahan

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Harry Callahan Rookie Experience

 

After a rookie season in the VHLM in S88 for the Ottawa Lynx, Harry Callahan was drafted 17th overall with the first pick of the second round in the S89 VHL draft by the Toronto Legion. Following another season in the VHLM for Ottawa in S89 and one in the VHLE for the Bratislava Watchmen in S90, Harry Callahan made his debut for the Legion in S91. Personal expectations were high after being chosen early by Toronto, and were further heightened after an MVP season in the VHLE that saw Callahan lead the league in multiple statistical categories. Below is an interview conducted at the 2/3 pole of the VHL season:

 

Mike Honcho: Thank you for joining me here today to discuss your rookie season in the VHL!

 

Harry Callahan: Thank you for having me!

 

 

MH: How do you feel that your first season in the VHL is going so far?

 

HC: I've been pleasantly surprised so far with how everything has gone. I feel like I've fit in well in the league, and I haven't embarrassed myself, so that's always a bonus.

 

 

MH: What would you say the biggest challenge coming into this season was in your mind?

 

HC: I definitely found it daunting looking at the difference in TPE between myself and the rest of the VHL, especially looking at some of the top players having more than double my amount. I wasn't really sure how well it was going to go trying to close that gap bit by bit while trying to remain a productive player.

 

 

MH: Has anything surprised you so far about the VHL?

 

HC: Not so much a surprise per se, moreso just confirmation that it's an incredibly competitive league every night. There aren't any easy games, and it feels like anyone can beat anyone on a nightly basis. It has definitely reaffirmed my need to keep developing as much as possible to stay competitive.

 

 

MH: How are you getting along with your new teammates in Toronto?

 

HC: It's been a great room so far. I'm incredibly fortunate to be coming from a fantastic locker room in Bratislava last season with some amazing people, so it's been awesome having the same feel in Toronto this season. Definitely feels like a tight group from the top down, which is so critical to have as the season goes on and the games get more important.

 

 

MH: Have you been happy with the level of success that the Legion have had this year so far? You're currently sitting in 2nd place in the North America Conference and 7th overall.

 

HC: We had a bit of a tough start to the season in terms of wins and losses early on, but it definitely feels like we've righted the ship here and are playing some great hockey currently. It's going well right now, but nobody strives for things just to go well, so we need to keep pushing to be even better the rest of the way.

 

 

MH: In terms of development, what have you seen so far from your player as currently developed, and what do you plan to focus on moving forward for the last third of this season?

 

HC: I've been happy with how my defensive development has gone, I think that it was part of what I was most worried about coming into the season. I didn't want to be a big liability on the ice, and it's been nice to be able to not be a big negative out there. For the rest of the year, I'm going to continue to try and improve my defensive game, keep being a plus player who can chip in offensively.

 

 

MH: What do you hope to see the rest of the way for yourself and your team?

 

HC: For myself, just continuing on where I am right now. I'd love to be able to score some more and help out in that department. For the team, just gotta keep playing solid hockey and try and push our way into the elite group of teams above us in the standings right now. There's a lot of good hockey being played in the league, but it's important to keep looking up to catch the teams ahead rather than be afraid of being caught by the teams on our tail.

 

 

MH: What would you say that your plan is for your future in the league?

 

HC: I hope to have a long career in this league, and would love to have it remain in Toronto for a long time. I know that there are players who come in for a short time and then want to start their careers over again, but I'm hoping to see this thing all the way through to the end.

 

 

MH: That about wraps us up here, thanks for joining me today for this look into your rookie season!

 

HC: Thanks again for having me, it was fun!

 

 

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