5 Questions with Halifax 21st GM, Thranduil. [1/2]

[HughJas_ 76]

HALIFAX SPORTS COLUMN

 

I am joined today by the GM of the Halifax 21st Mr. @Thranduil, thanks for taking the time in your busy schedule to do this interview Mr. Thranduil.

T: No problem man, thanks for taking the time to have me. I always appreciate when someone is organized enough to do a professional interview.

 

With several seasons as a GM on your resume so far, what has surprised you most about this job?

T: Well I've been AGM for the last 2.5 seasons, and heading into my first as AGM. In my time here, the most surprising thing has been the active atmosphere in the locker-room that it becomes so possible to create year after year. When I arrived on the team in S63, there wasn't much of an atmosphere at all, but along with Anthony Rogers, who GMed the team throughout S64 and most of S65, we were able to create positive atmospheres every season, even in the seasons that were supposed to be not as strong for us. Because of this activity, even with low picks, we've been able to finish in the top 3 every season, since we joined the league in S62, in a league that is generally tough to win in for two seasons in a row.

 

What's a typical week for you like here in Halifax?

T: Well, I generally look run a few practices, have a meeting with my staff, change up the lines a bit, have talks with players about ice-time, then I check the waiver market for d-men. I watch the team play, and make adjustments accordingly. I eat dinner with the team most nights. It isn't always exactly like that, but that would be a typical week.

 

With back to back finals appearances, what is the one thing you have learned and have continued to implement that has helped with the consistent success of your team? 

T: I now have a better understanding of how to build a great team. There are a few secrets to it, which many GMs do not know. The main ones are that you really don't need high picks in the draft. If you go for quantity over quality, things will ultimately turn out better. For example, if you draft a player who is already capped at the draft with the first overall pick, the 16th overall pick will also be capped by the end of the month, so by the time the playoffs role around it makes no difference. You don't need high picks, because players can't go over 200 TPA in the VHLM, so what really matters is how much TPE guys have later in the season. I also realized that it is better to go for welfarers with higher TPE, than super active guys, because you will end up likely having them for more than one season. As long as you put the effort into your team, and teach them how to earn, they will not disappoint and you can turn almost any provided roster into a contender.

 

What's your plan moving forward in order to take the next step towards hopefully a championship?

T: I plan to play it by ear. As I mentioned earlier, it isn't a big deal to not have first round picks. The drafts are so deep anyways, so I will be trading away my firsts like nothing. If we look to compete this season, we'll probably go all in, but if we aren't I will make some moves to build for next season. It is impossible to be a top team every single season, and I understand that, but I am definitely going to give competing a try.

 

What are the pressures of managing a successful team such as the Halifax 21st?

T: For me, I would say just trying to keep us in front. We've been great since we've entered the league, but have had only one picks in the first 2 rounds in the past 4 seasons. Halifax has a history of building great teams out of nothing, and after the great things Shawn Glade and Anthony Rogers brought to the team, in two seasons each as GM, I do not want to be the one to kill the reputation we have.

 

Anything that you would like to say to the Halifax 21st fans?

T: To the fans, I just want to say buckle up guys, looks like we're competing again, and I hope you're all in. This could be the season that, against all odds, we capture our first cup.

 

Thanks again for taking the time out of your schedule to do this interview!

T: Great questions, and I've love to stick around for more, but I have a staff meeting to get to. Thanks again!

 

 

Edited May 11, 2019 by HughJas_

[Mr_Hatter 1,608]

Review: Great work! I'm not sure if it is my browser but it looks like the image is a little messed up/not properly inline with the text, though like I said, could be on my end. Other than that I love how you formatted the question and answers, super readable. I thought it was cool to get inside the mind of a GM that has done fairly consistently well. Great article!