Vancouver Wolves Press Conference - June 1, 2024 TSN Sportsnet:

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Vancouver Wolves Press Conference - June 1, 2024 TSN Sportsnet: 

 

Moderator: Thank you all for joining us today. Here with us today is Vancouver Wolves winger Rip Wheeler to address some questions regarding the team's recent performance so far in season of the Victory Hockey League. Ripper, the floor is yours.

 

Rip Wheeler: Hey uh, yeah, thanks, uh everyone for taking the time. Feels a bit like a firing squad sittin’ uh up here…but uh, let’s go to it! Look, you know uh, let's not sugarcoat it. We haven't gotten off to the uh, start we were hoping for this season. You know uh, we've faced some tough opponents, but uh, that's the VHL, solid clubs top to uh bottom. Point blank period, our excuses don't win games, and right now uh, our execution simply hasn't been uh, where it needs to be.

 

Reporter 1: Rip, some fans are pointing fingers directly at you for the lack of production on the ice. How are you addressing that within the room?

 

Rip: Look baud, We have a big ‘Ol mirror in the locker room, and we're all taking a long look right now. Myself included. I was brought it to get the boys going and produce offensively and uh ya know, I take responsibility the lack of performance. We have a strong leadership group led by Cally, Frenchie and Niners, and we're having some tough conversations about what's not working. Things haven’t gotten physical, but it’s been close buddy…We need to be better at uh, ya know holding each other accountable, myself first and uh foremost. 

 

Reporter 2: There seems to be a lack of chemistry on some lines. Is there any consideration for shaking things up?

 

Rip: That’s way above Ol Rippers pay grade baud…Coach will make those decisions, but yeah, we're definitely looking at some uh, line combinations in practice. Sometimes a fresh look can spark something new and light a fire under But at the end of the day, it's uh, not about who's playing on what line, ya know it's about each player doing their job within the system.

 

Reporter 3: Rip, some critics are saying this team lacks the grit it used to have. How do you respond to that?

 

Rip: First off, I take exception to that question…especially as one of the off season addition’s. If you wanna call me out, take a shot baud! I’ll drop the mits with anyone, on or off the ice pal!
Look, the guys in the uh, room have a ton of heart. We uh yah know, wouldn't be here if we didn't. Maybe we're not throwing our bodies around as much, but damn man, the game has changed, it’s gotten softer that’s just uh ya know, the facts…but it’s also gotten faster and more skilled. We need to figure out ways to be physical within the new tiki tac rules. We’ve uh got a bunch of meat eaters on the club man, and we uh play on that uh edge…But, I’ll be the first to uh admit ya know uh, there's no question, we need to bring that edge, that desperation to win ya know, every battle, every single night.

 

Reporter 4: There's been a lot of talk about frustration amongst the fans. What message do you have for them?

 

Rip: I understand their frustration. We share it. Everyone, the boys in the room included want to see the Wolves play winning hockey. We uh, owe it to our fans, to uh this city, to ya know turn things around. And let me assure you, we're working our asses off to do just that. We love the crazy riot type atmosphere and the continued support….ya uh, we uh need them behind us now more than ever.

 

Reporter 5: Rip, is there a specific area where you think the team needs to improve the most?

 

Rip: It's a combo uh ya know of play in all three zones. We need to be better defensively. We're giving up too many easy chances in the D zone. Offensively, we need to be more uh, creative. We're ya k o uh, not generating enough high-quality looks, and not hitting the net like we should be. And in the middle of the uh rink, we’re not clogging it up and taking away uh the space from the other teams. Bottom line is we gotta uh, ya know put more pucks in net and on the back end support my boy Dalkr between the pipes. 

Moderator: Thank you, Rip, for your time.

 

Rip: Thanks guys. Ya know, We'll be back on track, uh i can tell ya that. We uh, know we can do it and just need that continued uhh support from Van City and the uh fans around Canada. We’ll get ‘er goin, that’s a promise. Rip, out. 

 

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600 - Media Spot 
205 - VHL.com Article 

Edited June 1 by ScottyP

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