Wiggles, Wobbles, and Jiggles: EP2

[JigglyGumballs 1,056]

What goes around comes around. 

 

Hello Hello welcome to the second edition of Wiggles, Wobbles, and Jiggles with your host, the man with a weird name, Jiggly Gumballs. On the previous episode which was the premiere of WWJ, we discussed the reasons as to why the Houston Bulls were losing a lot. Funnily enough afterwards we got some wins. Though this episode isn’t about that. In a recent article by Patrik Laine, I participated in a pre-draft interview. Now I’m here to return the favor. So how are you doing Patty?

 

PL: I'm doing good. I've been developing my skills and I feel confident.

 

That’s great! So first off, a recent mock draft had you projected high in the second round of the VHL draft. I personally thought you were a first rounder but I guess a high second round is close enough. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think you should’ve been projected higher?

 

PL: I think a high second round pick is perfect. Of course I want to increase my draft stock but second round is exactly where I want to be right now.

 

Hmm well anyways, I’m pretty curious as to what VHL team would you want to get drafted to. Adding to that, would you like to be drafted in a team where your other teammates whom you’ve played previously are also drafted there? If so, who would they be? Also just to be fair, I’m excluded from the players you choose. 

 

PL: I would want to go to a team who sees me as a potential star player. If I were to choose, Helsinki and Seattle would be my prime choices. Helsinki is close to friends and family back home in Finland and Seattle is because I am very good friends with their GM. I would want to go a team with Drew Minott. We are great friends and competitors on and off the ice.

 

Well we both know that he’s a great guy. Funny how all three of us rookie’s are pretty good bros together. I know you’ve asked me this in your article, but what made you sign in Houston? I know you have the ability to put up the points and be a great goal scorer in this league. Yet you are playing in a basement team with me. So what made you sign with the Bulls?

 

PL: A lot of teams were offering me third line minutes when I was on waivers. Houston offered me first line minutes right away with premium focus from the coaches and management to turn me into a star player. When I signed, I knew I was jumping into a dumpster fire but I thought it would be the best chance for me to develop as a player and so far it is paying off.

 

I see. So what do you think makes you a great goal scorer? By that I mean, what do you think is the reason why you’re able to put up points? Natural talent? Hard work or dedication? I would mention team support but… well we both know there’s not much of that until recently. On the other side of the spectrum, what do you think is your biggest weakness?

 

PL: Goal scoring is my natural strength. I have a good one timer and wrist shot. I think it is mix of talent and hard work. I work day and night knowing this it what it takes to become a VHL player but also as a good scorer I know when to pass so assists are a good help to my points. My biggest weakness right now has to be my checking. I have a big frame and I haven't been using it to my advantage and I've been working on it over the past few weeks so hopefully I can develop it more over the summer.

 

Natural born scorers are always good. Moving on, can you describe your personality? Who are you as a person and how would you fit in a locker room? Doesn’t matter if it’s in the VHL or in the VHLM, just how would you fit in? Do you also think with your scoring talents, could you possibly be a hall of famer or at least an amazing player sometime soon in perhaps the VHL?

 

PL: I'm a very passionate person with a soft spot. I love making memories with the fans and I enjoy the media attention. I think I would be a locker room leader and push everyone to be their best. I would be fine sitting in a smaller role if it is best for the team. I wouldn't say I could be a hall of famer yet but if I keep working it is a possibility.

 

Possibility eh? Interesting. From what I’ve seen, your assists seem to be coming a lot from the top pairing defense pair of Riley Knight Gee and James Rose. Same goes when they score. Do you think it’s because of your chemistry together?? Or maybe it’s just the structure of how the team plays, with top line with top defensive pairing.

 

PL: Yeah, Gee and Rose feed me the puck really good. Jiggs signed a couple of weeks ago and he has been feeding it pretty good to me for 5 on 5 play and I think our defense will be good heading into next year. There is definitely a chemistry forming here. We all know what to do and put our best foot forward every shift.

 

We both know Houston’s situation in the upcoming VHLM dispersal draft. Houston’s young players including me and you along with Drew Minott will be exposed in the draft. What are your thoughts regarding how Houston will handle this situation. Houston currently has a first rounder from Yukon and three second round picks. Do you think we’ll be able to maintain our core for the next season?

 

PL: I think we may keep some guys but we will lose some as well. I hope I'm picked up by Houston but it is still business and anything can happen so we will see.I think we may keep some guys but we will lose some as well. I hope I'm picked up by Houston but it is still business and anything can happen so we will see.

 

Anyways that’s all we have for now, thank you so much for coming by. I’ve got to say, Patrik’s Picks is a nice show and I actually took your show as inspiration for WWJ. So it’s really nice to have you here. Any closing remarks?

 

PL: Thanks for inviting me. This interview was a lot of fun.

 

It was a lot of fun having you around as well. So that’s this edition of Wiggles, Wobbles, and Jiggles! I’m Jiggly Gumballs and I’ll see ya in the next episode!

 

 

People mentioned: @PatrikLaine @DreMin15 @MattyIce @KnightRiley

[ahockeyguy 110]

I love this podcast feel of an article. I missed the first one, but I'll have to check in on these in the future. I liked the questions, and the answers. Both were thorough and generally of real interest. I really enjoyed both the focus on the VHLM (where we are now) and the VHL (where we're going). It felt like both got appropriate coverage. Some minor (but hopefully constructive) criticism would be to check on the punctuation and/or capitalization in the future. That was a very minor distraction from an otherwise-awesome read! Additionally, I have one suggestion: just as you linked to your teammate's prior article, it would be good to link to your prior episode as well. That's it from me! Score: 7.5/10

Edited June 23, 2020 by ahockeyguy