IIHIRN Revived I Think

[Spaz 297]

 

 

Welcome back to the IIHIRN, my name is Nathan Walker and I will be sitting down with General Manager Jubo of the Helinski Titian's today to discuss last season, and what we should be expecting for this upcoming season.

 

{Walker}: Thank you for joining me today Jubo, how are you doing?

 

{Jubo}: Doing well, we had an exciting draft yesterday. Looking forward for the new season to get underway.

 

{Walker}: Awesome! We will be looking closer into that later, but for now I would like to focus on last season.

 

First I would like to ask you, on your thoughts of how last season went for you, the good and bad?

 

{Jubo}: Going into the season we were not cup contenders, but I truly believe to this day we had a stronger roster to beat one of Malmo/Prague. Davos was continuing a complete rebuild and I felt we should have finished above at least one of them. It was a streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances that came to an end. That was perhaps the most disappointing part. Losing Pepper, Borwinn and Crosby were clearly felt on the ice. On the brightside we had new rookies gaining experience and a couple of guys with career years. Erik Summers led all d-men in points with 73 and tied the league lead in assists. When you have players like him to build around it makes the job of a GM a joyr. Guys like Daldo and Spaz had the short end of the stick as far as ice time went and will be used in far greater roles going forward. We are optimistic as a team that we will return to the postseason this time around.

 

{Walker}: Yes I did notice it can't be easy to have a streak like that end. I'm noticing here that you guys were great defensively, and lacked on scoring as you stated losing your veterans to retirement hurt, but 19 of your losses were one goal games, do you think that's the biggest reason for your team missing the playoffs and what would you do different, also who do you think from your rookies, or even second year guys will stand out and make the biggest impact to get you back into the playoffs and why? 

 

{Jubo}:I think if we brought in a player like Okada earlier on in the season we could have had a better true scoring presence. We were packed with all around skilled players but missing a true sniper. We have that weapon in the toolbox this season. Also adding in Michael Johnson in goal will be a nice boost. A goalie of his calibre can steal points for your team and we are extremely excited to have the opportunity of bringing him to Helsinki. Jim Bob has had a strong offseason and his sophomore year should see much stronger numbers. Jared Spaz will see his ice time likely double, and Daldo has switched to defense and will see more ice time as well. Valtteri Vaakanainen joins us this season as a promising stud, another player who projects to be a sniper. I think Spaz and Vaakaininen combine for 40-50 goals this season outside of the top line. Bob will come close to the 40 assist mark and be the perfect set-up guy in our top six.

 

{Walker}: It'll definitely be interesting to see. 

 

 Let's take a commercial break, stay tuned as you are watching the IIHIRN.

 

Welcome back, for anyone just tuning in, I am Nathan Walker and we are sitting down with the GM of the Helinski Titian's Jubo.

 

So I know you're confident in your team making the playoffs this season so I will move on from that question, and ask one of my own all in fun. With Seattle winning their fourth cup, I'm interested to see what your intake of this season will go, besides you guys what team do you think will surprise you a bottom five team to have a great season, and what top five team do you think will shock you of falling into the basement? Who do you think has the strongest chance of winning the cup?

 

{Jubo}: Davos has had a very strong offseason adding in several important roster pieces. They have one question mark remaining, which happens to be goaltending. I believe they were in the running for Michael Johnson.That being said, Samuel Ross will continue to improve as the season progresses. As far as which team takes a dive? I’d have to take an early guess that Calgary will be a bubble team and possibly even fall out of the playoffs. The North American conference is packed with talent. There is uncertainty at the moment if Stropko and Barabash will be allowed to return to the club after hitting the open market. My early pick to win the cup out of the NA conference is a toss up between Vancouver and Seattle. Special recognition for DC who is due for a finals appearance after their close call with Seattle this past playoffs. They have been building up to it since inception.

 

{Walker}: Interesting, interesting. Okay a couple more questions before time is up and the biggest one I want to get out of the way and we talked a little on it is the draft. How many players are you expecting to join you this season, I know you said Vaakaininen, but is there anyone else in mind that you think could be VHL ready before the season starts? Also if you would like to give me some information on each player and what role you expect them to make in the near future.

 

{Jubo}: Vaakanainen will be the only rookie for us in season 72. He will be moving throughout the lineup until we can find good chemistry. Valtteri will be tested in all facets of the game including special teams and may get a shot in any shootouts we may be involved in. Next season we will see Zamboni Driver move into either a backup or starter role. Elsby(D) and Helminen(LW) will also very likely be joining us in season 73. It has been exciting each season to see new faces join the ranks and have a shot at being future stars in the VHL.

 

{Walker}: It really is the best part of the game, just seeing new faces who all have the same goal. Okay I have one last question for you before I'll let you go, out of the entire league including VHLM who are you excited to see rise into that superstar potential and why? it can be anyone from any team

 

{Jubo}: Erik Summers has a great opportunity to have a hall of fame career. He has the right mindset and the perfect set of skills to remain one of the top defenders for the remainder of his career which is only two years young. Very interested in his continued development and his quick rise to being one of the best dmen league-wide.

 

{Walker}:That's all the time I have for today, thank you for joining me today.

 

We will be back after these messages to wrap everything up.

 

Welcome back, that was GM Jubo of the Titian's, a team that will be exciting to watch next season and see what they can do. I wish them luck. Next week I'll possibly be in Davos and may interview a familiar face but you'll have to find out next week. I'm going to send you back to James Roberts to give you the latest news and trades of the league. I wish you all a good night as this is Nathan Walker and this is the IIRIHN.

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Edited May 17, 2020 by Spaz

[Spaz 297]

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[Jubo 1,839]

[Spaz 297]

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