Bobfather: Bob Mckenzie's Sit-Down with Joseph Gainer

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The Bobfather

Bob Mckenzie's Sit-Down interview with Joseph Gainer

 

In the latest installment of his long form sit down interviews, the Bobfather, Bob Mckenzie caught up with Mississauga Hounds Player Joseph Gainer. This is: The Bobfather.

 

Bobfather: Welcome Joseph, and thanks for taking the time to sit down with me. I know that as the season comes to an early end for you fellas it can be a tough time to sit down and do interviews, so I really appreciate it.

 

Gainer: Thanks Bob. Always happy to sit down with you.

 

Bobfather: Let’s start by talking about the feelings in the locker room right now. Obviously this season has not gone the way you guys wanted and especially the last few weeks have been extra tough. How has the team handled this time?

 

Gainer: I think it’s honestly, given the circumstances, the mood in the locker room hasn’t been too bad. We haven;t gotten high and haven’t gotten low. The mood in the locker room has not been one of pity, but an almost anger like one, wanting to go out the next period or game and prove that we are a better team than that.

 

Bobfather: There has also been a lot of turnover on the team this year, especially at the top with the General Managers. What type of effect, if any, has that had on you guys?

 

Gainer: Yeah, I mean, each of the GM’s we’ve had have been great. Each of them was super welcoming, especially to rookies like me who are experiencing the VHLM for the first time. @FotkerDunk was great right off the bat, and we were super happy to see him get a nice promotion. @Berocka was another fantastic guy, who always gave 100% and was beloved in the locker room. When @Zetterberg became AGM, it felt like he had been here the whole time. And @Cole has been fantastic in the short time we’ve had him. In the end I can’t say enough about how good all of the GM’s had been, and how much the guys miss them and all they did for us while at the same time loving @Cole.

 

Bobfather: So do you think the turnover has been any type of effect on you guys as a team?

 

Gainer: No, I don’t think so. Each has been a very steadying influence on the team and did everything they could to help our time.

 

Bobfather: Let’s change focus to you. How has your first season in the VHLM gone? Has it been everything you expected?

 

Gainer: Off the bat, the learning curve was not as large as I thought it would be. Perhaps the biggest thing that surprised me was the community. I figured that the individual teams would be close, but if you look at the connections not just throughout the teams, or the individual leagues, but the entirety of the VHL. The camaraderie between players, GM’s, the VHLM and the VHL, league Commissioners, support staff and more, all of it is like a family. No matter where you go, you feel welcome, even when you are with your rivals

 

Bobfather: If we take a second and look at your journey throughout your first season. You started on the fourth line, and have worked your way up to the second line. Additionally, you are now tied as the 15th ranked player in the draft when it comes to TPE earned. How would you attribute getting to this point.

 

Gainer: I would say just putting in the effort, and with that, having the people around me that were able to show me the way. How to maximize TPE earnings each week, where to allocate TPE were both things that teammates and other players helped me to figure out. Even just seeing other players do media spots or press conferences made me want to keep up with them and keep putting in the effort. As far as moving up the lineup, I think part of it was putting the work in. Trading players like @AndrewSu opened up space for guys higher in the lineup, and I was fortunate enough to benefit from it.

 

Bobfather: Are there any personal concerns for you with being drafted to a different team? Having to be acquainted with a new group of players or finding yourself on a team where you will be lower in the lineup?

 

Gainer: It will be interesting getting close with a new group of guys, be it here in Mississauga or somewhere else, but I would call it exciting more than nervousness. In regards to my spot in the lineup, all I can do is put in the work. Where in the lineup I play will be ultimately up to the GM. I will just be ready to give 100% to contribute to the ultimate goal of winning the Founders Cup.

 

Bobfather: If you get drafted by someone other than Mississauga, what will you miss most about here?

 

Gainer: Right now I’m just focused on finishing out the season with the fellas.

 

Bobfather: Ok fair. Last question, you’ve become a semi-pro fighter in your matches vs Gainer the Gopher. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

 

Gainer: Haha for sure. It actually started out pretty personal, with us trying to prove that we were the ultimate ‘Gainer”. The fact that we have been able to raise funds for charity has made it all the better.  A highlight for me, besides winning the second fight, has been raising the money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which is near and dear to my heart.

 

Bobfather: Well, your bouts with Gainer the Gopher have sure added an interesting chapter to your rookie season. Thanks for taking the time to sit down with me.

 

Gainer: For sure Bob, I really appreciate it. And make sure to keep an eye out for my penultimate fight with the Gopher later this week. You are not going to want to miss THE SLAMMER IN THE HAMMER!

 

Word Count: 1001

 

Claiming weeks: 05/03 and 05/10