IIHIRN EP.2 S.1

[Spaz 297]

This is the IIHIRN and my name is Nathan Walker thanks for tuning in, as we are in Mississauga today getting ready to interview GM GustavMattias of the Mississauga Hounds.

 

We will join him after this short break.

 

Welcome back and thank you for joining me Gustav.

 

{Gustav}: Thanks for having me.

 

{Nathan}: Okay I would like to start off with the season the league has just wrapped up the final games and you guys finish second in the league behind the Wild, after a struggling start how were you able to bounce back and finish the way you did?

 

{Gustav}: I think there were a few big factors for us. First off, I love the fact that our team has consistently put in work to improve throughout the season. I think we’re next to unmatched, season after season, in terms of getting players to develop well and do it quickly, and that’s a huge asset for us. There was also the trade we made for Wright--when you can pick up an elite player without giving up any future assets, that’s a big deal.

 

{Nathan}: While we're on the subject of the end of the season, let's talk about playoff hockey, you guys are looking to be if not in the finals what do you have to do to get there and what team are do you need to watch out for?

 

{Gustav}: If we win every round, the most likely course of action seems to be Ottawa-Mexico-Saskatoon. I’d consider either of the last two matchups that we should be concerned about, but I think they’re both winnable and we’ve got the talent to pull it off.

 

{Nathan}: It's obvious you've had the talent all year so I am interested in who you've watched growing with improvement or has future potential this could be a future draftee or someone that is getting called up next season?

 

{Gustav}: I’d like to talk about our last signing who wasn’t a recreate: Justin Graves (@JDGraves). He’s been buried on the lines since he signed with us, and hasn’t really had the chance to get out there and shine yet, but he’s been coming along quite nicely and I think he’ll amount to quite a bit in the future.

 

{Nathan}:How long have you been GM and what is your opinion of the ups and downs you go through?

 

{Gustav}: This is my fourth season as GM. So far, we’ve made an attempt to compete in three of those seasons, and sold everything we had in the other. I think it’s really part of the process--in the VHLM you’re either making a run for a cup or you aren’t, and there isn’t much in-between unless you’re OK with being consistently mediocre. The bad seasons don’t mean you’ve failed, they just mean that you’re looking ahead to the future. Right now, for the Hounds, it is that future we’ve been looking at, so I intend to do what I can to win with it.

 

{Nathan}: Where do you see yourselves next year I understand you've made some big trades this year but I've also noticed you only have two late draft picks?

 

{Gustav}: That’s true. I think we’ll still be able to compete with the assets we’ll have then, as a lot of our roster is staying down. Next season, we’ll own the rights to Frost, Cheezy, Olsen, Reegsman, and possibly Wright and Clarke, and that’s just what I can name off the top of my head. If we hit on a late-round steal or two and make some solid waiver signings, I see no reason why we won’t be a good team even without the draft picks.

 

That's all I have for today, thank you for your time again Gustav now next week I will be heading out to Saskatoon. Now to give you back to Zack Smith for NHL scores, highlights, and reports as he will look into the Canucks big win over the Oilers 4-2. This is the IIHIRN and we wish you all a Merry Christmas.