Gainer and the Bob Father part 2

[joeg 69]

The Bob Father: The Return of Gainer

 

Welcome back to the newest iteration of The Bob Father, Bob McKenzie’s long form sit down interview with VHL athletes. This feature includes the return of Mississauga Hounds player and Toronto Legion prospect Joseph Gainer.

 

Bob Father: Joseph, welcome back. It’s great to be able to talk to you again.

 

Gainer: Always a pleasure to talk to you Bob.

 

Bob Father: It’s been a big last few weeks for you. Drafted by Toronto in the VHL, and Mississauga in the VHLM. You’ve also had a great start to the season. But the first question I have is this, we head you turned down an offer to sit down with Darren Dreger on his Dreger Café show. Can you tell us why you turned it down?

 

Gainer: Dreger is a mouthpiece for Paul Marner.

 

Bob Father: …ok, seems like there is a lot to unpack there. Let’s move on. You are in your sophomore season of the VHLM and are with the same club. How different does it feel compared to last season?

 

Gainer: It’s pretty different. I think first and foremost we’ve already been a little bit more successful in these early days this season. As far as being in my second year, I just kind of know better what to expect now. The flow of the season, managing the highs and lows, I’m able to draw on experience from last year to better manage these situations.

 

Bob Father: Your team had a fair amount of turn over. How have you been able to handle that?

 

Gainer: It stinks that we lost the guys that we did in the draft, but I think it’s important to note that that is what makes it so important to play your hardest game in and game out. It’s virtually impossible that the next season you will with the same group the next season, so you have to cherish every moment you have with your teammates. This year’s group of guys is great, and we’ve gelled very well.

 

Bob Father: You and @LastOneUp were drafted back to back by Toronto. What has it been like playing with a future VHL teammate?

 

Gainer: Ha, it’s been awesome. Mac's a great player and teammate. Now to get into it further, we don’t play on the same line very often, so we haven’t been able to play with each other a lot. But that doesn’t change the fact that just being around him is awesome. Learning from him, training with him, it’s awesome to create a relationship with him, and know it will be there when we make the jump to Toronto.

 

Bob Father: Take about the start to the season. As a team, individually, how has it gone.

 

Gainer: As a team it’s gone about as well as we could hope. We’ve been able to get some good wins and learn from our losses. I’d rather make our mistakes and fix them now than in the playoffs. Individually I got off to a little bit of a slow start, but I’m starting to get into gear now. I think it’s just important to keep playing and not overthink it too much. Obviously putting up 10 shots a game and not scoring like I was during the beginning of the season wasn’t great, but I’ve seemed to rectify that now. Hopefully we can keep building momentum and make a run in the playoffs.

 

Bob Father: Well as always Joseph, thanks for taking the time to sit down and chat. I look forward to chatting at the end of the season with you again.

 

Gainer: Always a pleasure Bob. Thanks again.

 

WC/610