Interview with Dorji Khan after starting his second season in the VHL

[Oddpurplefly 178]

 

Dorji Khan, an emerging young player of the Toronto Legion, has been putting in the work this season. After an intense offseason training, the Mongolian Stallion has returned in peak condition, ready to play. His dedication and hard work are evident in his stats: 8 goals and 8 assists in just 20 games. Known for his physical presence, Khan has managed to strike a perfect balance between aggression and discipline, accumulating only 12 hits and 4 penalty minutes. His contributions have been consistent and his +/- rating of +10 showing he is responsible defensively as well. In this exclusive interview, Khan shares insights into his preparation, his journey and his aspirations for the season.

 

Reporter: Dorji, it’s great to have you back! You’ve been in superb form this season. Can you tell us a bit about your preparation before the season started?

 

Dorji: Thanks, it’s always a pleasure to be here. This offseason, I really focused on getting into the best shape possible. After returning from my Christmas in Mongolia, I dedicated a lot of time to my fitness, working out intensely to make sure I could contribute to the team effectively. It's always about pushing myself to new limits and being ready for the demands of the season.

 

Reporter: It certainly seems like your hard work has paid off. You’ve already scored 8 goals and provided 8 assists in just 20 games. What’s been the key to your success on the ice?

 

Dorji: I think it’s a combination of factors. Number 1 I would say my teammates have played a key part in how I am performing so far. They are incredible and we’ve been working really well together. Everyone on our team is putting in the work. And 2 I would say the intense training in the offseason has helped me improve my strength and endurance which is crucial for staying competitive throughout the game but also try to hone in on new skills.

 

Reporter: Despite your physical presence, you’ve managed to stay very disciplined, with only 12 hits and 4 penalty minutes. How do you strike that balance?

 

Dorji: It’s all about playing smart hockey. I believe in being aggressive but also understanding the game situation. You don’t want to put your team at a disadvantage by taking unnecessary penalties. It’s important to be physical but within the rules and that’s something I’ve tried to work on. My physicality really shows when battling for the puck behind the net or in the corners and when I am in front of the goalie attempting to screen. I always try to stay heavy on my skates with strong strides to push defenders back and give space for my teammates.

 

Reporter: Your +/- rating of +10 is very impressive. How important is this stat to you?

 

Dorji: I take pride in being a two-way player and helping the team in every aspect of the game. It’s not just about scoring goals but also making sure you’re defensively responsible. Last season was my first in the negatives.  In my last season in the VHLM I was +63, my season in the VHLE I was +28. I definitely put more focus on improving this season.

 

Reporter: As the season progresses, what are your goals and expectations for yourself and the team?

 

Dorji: For myself, I want to keep improving and be the best player I can be. I will do anything it takes to help this team. For the team, the goal is always to win. We have a great group this season. I feel like this season, we need to make a big push because we are losing valuable players next season who are stepping into retirement and hopefully give them one last chance at a championship.

 

Reporter: Thank you for your time, Dorji. We’re excited to see what the rest of the season holds for you and the Toronto Legion.

 

Dorji: I really do thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to it as well.

 

 

666words

PT week Jan 6 to 12

Edited January 7 by Oddpurplefly