Bobfather and Gainer: Offseason

[joeg 69]

Gainer and Bobfather End of Season 72 Sit Down

 

BOBFATHER: Joseph great to see you again. Thanks for doing this virtual sit down with me.

 

GAINER: Always glad to sit down with you Bob.

 

BOBFATHER: Let’s talk about the regular season first. You got off to a sluggish start before picking up the pace, eventually earning yourself time on the first line. How do you feel you progressed this season?

 

GAINER: On a personal level, I think that I should some good growth throughout the season. Getting a chance to play on the top line was fantastic and it certainly took a lot of hard work to reach the top line. Mac had a hell of a season, and it took a lot of work to reach his level. And getting to play with Frostbeard was unreal. Whoever gets to draft him is in for a treat.

 

BOBFATHER: Let’s talk about Mac. Both you and him were drafted to Toronto in last season’s VHL entry draft. You didn’t get to see a lot of time together in Mississauga. Are you hoping that changes in Toronto?

 

GAINER: The long-term goal is obviously to win a championship. If management thinks that putting us on the same line will help us reach that goal than I am all for it. And if they believe we are better off on different lines then that is what we’ll do. It’s all about reaching the goal of hoisting the continental cup.

 

BOBFATHER: So, do you not want to play with Mac then?

 

GAINER: No. I’m just saying that I am all in on doing whatever is in the best interest of the team. Whether that is with Mac or not, I’m all in on helping this team get wins.

 

BOBFATHER: Can you share your thoughts on the league expansion and expansion draft?

 

GAINER: Yeah sure. The league expansion is a net positive. Being able to expand by 4 teams show the health and stability on the league currently. League leadership deserves praise for putting the league in this healthy position. As far as the expansion draft goes, it always stinks to lose players. Ultimately though, we seem to be in a pretty good position to come out of the expansion draft with the core intact.

 

BOBFATHER: Quickly getting back to the VHLM season, you guys made the playoffs for the first time in your career but fell in the first round. What are your thoughts on how the team performed?

 

GAINER: It was tough to go out the way we did. Ultimately, we weren’t the better team and as such didn’t make it out of the round. I try to pick out some positives though. Individually it gave us as players the experience of what playoff hockey is like, even if it was in the minors. And as for the team, hopefully it helps to establish a culture of winning in Mississauga.

 

BOBFATHER: Looking forward to the upcoming season you’ve been placed on the roster in Toronto. How are you settling in so far?

 

GAINER: Well thankfully I haven’t had to move or anything as Mississauga is essentially Toronto. It has been kind of a funny transition as the league expansion has made it a unique offseason. I think that after the expansion draft though things will settle down a bit and it will be a more manageable transition.

 

BOBFATHER: What is your expectation for the upcoming season?

 

GAINER: I’ll answer that in 2 ways. First, personally. This Toronto team is very talented, especially up front. I hope to settle in where management places me, and then be able to adjust to the VHL. There is a nice mix of experience on the team, so I know I’ll have a lot of veterans to lean on. As a team, obviously Toronto made the playoffs last year and took Calgary to game 7. I would think that the goal is always to exceed the previous year. So regular season wise hopefully be in a little bit more solid playoff position and come the playoffs, advance past the first round.

 

BOBFATHER: Do you want to put any quantitative data on your personal goals? Points, goals scored, assists? Anything?

 

GAINER: I hesitate to just because the season is just so unpredictable. Ultimately, I’ll say this: I hope to be a net positive for team contributing in positive ways and ensuring that I justify Toronto’s decision to select me where they did last year.

 

BOBFATHER: You wrote a controversial article last week on tourtiere being a good pregame meal. You received some criticism. Any statement you would like to make?

 

GAINER: Yes. First, the only thing I’ll apologize for is not putting a picture with the article. I should have figured that there is no way my mere words could convey the excellence that is tourtiere. If you disagree with me, it is obviously because you are ignoring the facts and nothing, I can say will convince you. When you come around to the science let me know.

 

BOBFATHER: Fantastic. That’s about all I’ve got on my end. Anything you would like to add on your end before we wrap this up?

 

GAINER: Yes. A couple of things actually. First, Steve Simmons stinks for releasing that Auston Matthews tested positive for COVID. We need to respect players privacy, you know, like the rest of the league has been doing. Second, as an addition to the previous question, there is in no world any excuse for putting ketchup or chili sauce on tourtiere. Don’t even get me started with that crap. Finally, I can’t wait to get started in Toronto. We are Legion.

 

BOBFATHER: That all? GAINER: Keep on chugging and let’s get this train going full speed ahead.

 

BOBFATHER: Joseph, it’s been a pleasure as always. We look forward to watching how the offseason and season plays out for Toronto. Stay safe and best of luck this season.

 

GAINER: Same to you Bob. Always happy to chat with you. TTYL.

 

WC/1000

 

Claiming for weeks of July 19 and July 26.