A long talk with Hextall

[ROOKIE745 608]

Reporter: Hello everyone, we've had a opportunity to sit down with Hextall and hear him share his thoughts on various subjects. Lots to talk about so let's get started. Jaxx the Minnesota Storm got off to a fantastic start and haven't let up since then, the team is 28-4-0, only the Ottawa Lynx are ahead thanks to a over time loose point they have. How are you feeling about your team?

 

Hextall: Well fantastic obviously, I don't think any team would be disappointed with the record we have. That said though we know we have to stay competitive, the Lynx aren't going to let up so neither can we.

 

Reporter: The VHLM is pretty much split in 2 groups, it's pretty safe to say that the Lynx, Storm, Marlins, Bulls, and Reapers will make the playoffs and the top teams in the playoffs. Your team is 3rd in goals for at 154 with Marlins at 2nd with 175 and Lynx at 176. The Storm are 1st in goals against at just 70, the next closest team is the Bulls at 75. What does that tell you about your team?

 

Hextall: I think it shows that out of the top 3 teams we're playing a more defensive style of game. I don't think we're playing to defensive though, we've showed that we can score and that our reliance on defense is not a hindrance. I think it's important to remember that we've acquired some excellent players that we didn't have at the start of the season so I think our goals for would be even better if they were here from the start.

 

Reporter: Indeed, Storm and Rooney have been great for the team. I would like to look at records for a brief second, you've played 32 games and won 28 of them, your already 3rd in wins with the team and it's possible you could get to 2nd in one season, you still have the least amount of looses with the team at just 4 and no over time looses. You have 4 shutouts and the most with the team is 7 done by 2 other players and have a chance at best save percentage and goals against. Your going to set some good records with the team in just one season, does all of this

 

Hextall: I have felt great this season and like I have made a lot of progress in my game, that said though I wouldn't be able to set those kind of records if it weren't for such a great team in front of me.

 

Reporter: Always so humble Hexxy. It's clear though that your great play has been recognized as you have been named Captain of the team, any thoughts on that? Not as often we see goalies get elected as captain.

 

Hextall: It is for sure a bit unorthodox but I know how much I mean to this team and how important I am, the team feels very confident in front of me and that's very important. It can be a little difficult at times when there's a bad call and I should go to a ref or a teammate needs a pat on the back and some encouraging words. It's a little hard to be there for that kind of stuff but I know I have Gutzwiler and Proto to be there when I can not. And I want to congratulate Proto, very new to the league but has already proven so much. If this was his 2nd season I wouldn't be surprised if they gave him the C instead but I think it's important to not give a rookie to much on his plate, let them focus on playing the game first and foremost. If he's back with the storm for a 2nd season I have no doubt he's wearing the C.

 

Reporter: I understand and we know the team is very proud of you. Recently the Canadian team was announced and you are on the team. How do you feel knowing that you get to represent your country? and we know things are still a little up in the air but reportedly the other goalie is going to be Jacques Lafontaine, how do you feel about that?

 

Hextall: Well first I'm very happy to be with the team, honored that I can represent Canada. However when I heard that I might be playing with Jacques Lafontaine..... well I kinda froze, I don't know how he views me but I see him as a rival of sorts. We were the top 2 goalies in the S70 draft and we had a hell of a battle in the playoffs. I never thought I would get a chance to play with him on the same team but here we are. He's a great goalie and I think any goalie would be happy to play with him and learn from him. I also get to play with some future teammates like Graves and Wolfe early before I move up to the Legion next season.

 

Reporter: I think all Canadian team fans will be very happy with the choice of the players and especially the goalies. Going forward how are you feeling about the rest of this season and moving up to the VHL next season? any players you are going to miss?

 

Hextall: Well getting to play with the Canadian team will be a good experience and maybe I'll get to learn a thing or 2 from Jacq, I feel really good with how the Storm are preforming and I know we'll make the playoffs and have a great chance at winning it all. When the day comes it will be hard to move up to the VHL, I know the high turnover in the VHLM means teams are almost never the same after 1 or 2 seasons and that you meet new players all the time, but I get attached to people easily. I've made a lot of good friends and I know I'll see most of them in the VHL but it won't be the same not playing on the same team as them, sharing the locker room with them. That's why I was so ecstatic when Storm and Rooney joined the team, it just gave me some comfort to have those guys in the locker room again. I know I'm going to miss them and Proto a lot, I know I talk about how amazing Proto is but he is very promising for whatever team acquires him and if he somehow ended up with the Legion that would be great. We'll see what happens at the S71 draft.

 

(Word count 1108, claiming for Feb 9th and Feb 16th)

[ROOKIE745 608]

claiming for Feb 16th

Edited February 10, 2020 by ROOKIE745