A Warm Welcome to the Hounds House

[joeg 69]

A Warm Welcome to the Hounds House

Inside the Success of Mississauga's Welcoming Locker Room

 

For the Mississauga Hounds, this season has been about welcoming new faces. During the current 71st season of the VHLM the Hounds have welcomed 5 fresh faces to their squad. Lucas Brandt, Michael Mac, Joakim Sakic, Sami Sam and Joseph Gainer. It has been witnessed in the past that when there is a large influx of new players onto a squad, tensions can rise in the locker room. Yet as one player recounted, “as soon as I entered the locker room, I knew I was in the right place.” This was the newest player, Joseph Gainers, reaction when he joined the Hounds. He credited the warm locker room atmosphere as being reassuring to him. “Obviously the awesome atmosphere will make people want to stay around. I only joined the league recently, and yet the fellas have already made me feel like I’m a lifelong member.” When looking at the team, it is easy to see why the team bonds so well, and it starts at the top.

 

GM Berocka is no stranger to the VHL. Their past successes have shown him the importance of good chemistry, and they certainly radiate a positivity when it comes to interacting with others. Welcoming to new members and jolly with veterans they make everyone the encounter feel important. It is this radiative positivity that helps create the great chemistry on the Hounds. Assistant GM DoktorFunk is also no stranger to the VHL. If having a welcoming and positive attitude was a competition, it would be neck-and-neck between them and Breocka. DoktorFunk is always willing to lend a helping hand to those who needs help, and gets along with all they encounter. It is truly these 2 managers who set the tone for the rest of the team.

 

When it comes to the players, they are equally as important in creating this welcoming atmosphere. Whether it’s the wise veterans such as Russian goaltender Alleksandr Aleksandrov, or the forwards Joakim Sakic and Justin Goodhope of Sweden and Canada respectively, these leaders are never afraid to show the rookies the ropes. Even younger guys, such as Mathew Cepeda, Sami Sam, or Adil Mahmood, all 3 levels of the ice have ready and willing leaders on it. One of the major strengths of the team is seen in the diversity of its players. Icing players from 5 countries there is no shortage of hockey and life experiences to share. From the North American powerhouses of Canada and the USA, the skilled Europeans from Sweden and Norway, or the strong and powerful from Russia, these different experiences and views from across the globe are what helps the team gel so well. While the ultimate goal of any WHLM team is to hoist the Founders Cup in eternal glory, the Mississauga Hounds are about creating experiences on and off the ice. Whether it’s helping players to make it to the pros, finding jobs in the league, becoming a manager or giving personal advice, the Hounds organization is all about forming a cohesive unit. This welcoming atmosphere can be attributed to all in the organization. And the organization can look forward to a bright future thanks to the sturdy foundation they are building now.

533 Words

 

Edited April 3, 2020 by joeg

[Gustav 6,407]

As a former Hounds GM, welcome to the VHL @joeg! Keep writing and be active and you'll have a great time here.