SITR: Las Vegas Aces GM Interview Spartan 2

[Rhynex Entertainment 487]

SITR: Las Vegas Aces GM Interview Spartan 2

 

Host:  Thanks for tuning into VHL Network, Stick In The Rink! Last time we had the Assistant General Manager of the VHL New York Americans AGM @dlamb come in, and now this week we have our first returning special guest! Please welcome back GM @Spartan, the General Manager of the Las Vegas Aces!

(camera focuses on the audience showing a standing ovation, round of applause, and cheering, and Spartan walks in)

           Welcome Spartan! Thanks for coming in today!

 

Spartan: Thank you! I had great fun last time, thanks for inviting me back! (continual cheers and applause slowly dying down)

 

Host: First of all. congratulations on a successful season last year! It has already been an interesting off-season for you and the Aces. I see a lot of  new faces in the organization. How has the departure of your former AGM @twists affected you and the Las Vegas Aces? What is it like to be working with a new AGM in @JigglyGumballs?

 

Spartan: I think we'll definitely miss having him (twists) around, but we can't remain in the past anymore. He's made his decision, which I respect, and I wish him the best and hope to see him around in the future. Jiggs (JigglyGumballs) has been a fantastic addition to our management team, as he hit the ground running right before the draft and helped out in a big way. He was immediately involved in scouting, has been active and helpful in the locker room, and is willing to complete any task I ask from him.

 

Host: The front office was not the only change to the team, there also seems to be a lot of new faces in the locker room. How did you feel you did in the recent S74 draft? And why do you feel that way? Do you think you could have done better?

 

Spartan: I think we had a really good draft. Getting Nicky (Nicholas Sunderbruch) @NickSunderbruch back in the first round was actually our top goal, he was easily our number 1 choice to pick with our first rounder, so truly thrilled to have him back. With Sid (Tim Waters) @Siddhus going up to Warsaw, we drafted a fantastic replacement in Gucci (Its Gucci) @frescoelmo , who has already been engaged in our LR and has been doing well. We were also able to draft Chase Crosby @Wreckening back to the organization, which was really exciting considering our familiarity with him. Outside of the familiar faces, I think we hit gold with 4 of our rookies - Artem McCloud (Artair McCloud) @Hoopydog, Kelley Power @Nordin, Linus Zetterstrom @Ledge_and_Dairy, and Connor Sim @SimmerDown99. All of them were some mid-late round picks, and they've all been active in our locker room and have helped generate some excitement for this season.

(Cheers and claps could be heard from the audience)

 

Host: Definitely a nice draft with so many new prospects and a couple returning faces. However, you've lost both your S73 Captain, Onde Sandstrom @fonziGG ,and team points leader and leading scorer Kasey Tamm @kesytamm over the recent off season. How do you feel this will affect the Las Vegas Aces' chances this season? How have you compromised for the huge losses?

 

Spartan: I think that the biggest impact with their losses is going to be in the locker room, rather than on the ice. Both of them were dynamic scorers, but we have Gary Rush @G_Rush still on the squad, and rising stars Rhynex Entertainment @Rhynex Entertainmentand Chris Reynolds @Crstats23 to fill their shoes. Very happy with Nicky, Gucci and Wachiure (Angel Wachiure) @inflastud on the 2nd line as well, and our rookies who I'm sure will step up to play some key depth roles this season. I'm pretty confident in our chances for this season, as I think we can make a pretty deep run.

 

Host: With the departure of Onde Sandstrom, it was expected that you would promote one of your S73 Alternate Captains, which you have in Chris Reynolds. However, what surprised everyone was the promotion of two new Alternate Captains as well! Last season as a rookie, Rhynex Entertainment was given the "A". After a fantastic rookie season, was there a reason to why he was demoted and had his leadership role removed? What made you decided upon having two new alternates in the locker room?

 

Spartan: Yeah, picking our Captain was pretty easy, as Chris (Reynolds) has been vocal in the locker room just about every day. He's been active, passionate, and really shows what it means to be a Las Vegas Ace every day in this league. In terms of our alternates, one spot went to a veteran on our roster who provides a very steady and wide perspective on our team in Kaskper Kankkunen @ZP16. He's a veteran defensemen now in his second season, and he's very knowledgeable and supportive to everyone on the team. Our last pick was tough, but with our Captain selection and first Alternate Captain selection, there was a theme that we seemed to inherently follow. Both of the users were outspoken players on the team, and there was another player who fit those values perfectly, in Nicky Sunderbruch. He lights up the room, and brings the hype every day. He is easily the person I would expect to lead the team to get beers after games. Now, this isn't a knock on Rhynex (Entertainment) at all. What Jiggs and I have seen is quiet, stoic leadership, someone who leads by example rather than with words. Regardless of the "A" or "C" on his jersey, we know that he's going to play a big part on this team, albeit in a quieter and more discreet manner.

 

Host: So silent, but deadly. Good to know about that for Entertainment. Sometimes the silent and serious types who aren’t  great in the locker room would just show up on the ice. Let's see how that goes. With so many new personnel in your roster, how do you feel your team will do this season? What is the Las Vegas Aces' goal for S74? Who do you feel will be your team's leading scorer this year? How about the MVP?

 

Spartan: I think the goal and expectation for this season remains the same as last year, but with some invigoration - to win it all. Even with the turnover on the team, I'm confident that we have the pieces needed to make the cup run. We added Joakim Lund @Bouncyelf from San Diego to shore up our top 4 defensemen, and traded for Drew Minnot @DreMin15 from Houston to replace Frieds (Nils Friedriksen, Goaltender) @Biggreen10 who went up to the VHL. They're all strong players and are already meshing in well with the team. Regarding leading scorers, I think anyone on the first or second line could walk away with it, they're that talented. Kasper Kankkunen could also make a bid for the title. For MVP, my vote always goes to the goalie - so I put my faith in Drew (Minnot).

 

Host: Very reasonable prediction, especially with Kasey Tamm being the leading scorer last season on the second line. Who do you feel will be the Rookie of the Year for S74 VHLM? How about the sleepers? Who's going to shock the league? Who will be the league MVP?

 

Spartan: I think Its Gucci could have a strong shot at rookie of the year, especially since he's between two second year wings who can generate a lot of offense. In terms of sleepers and the rest, I think it's hard to predict. Just about anyone in this league can put in the work and turn into a quality player, so just about anyone can be a sleeper and shock the league. In terms of league MVP, you could see someone like a goalie on a middling team that carries their squad into the playoffs.

 

Host: From the looks of things, you have a very strong top line in Chris Reynolds, Rhynex Entertainment, and Gary Rush, but a team hardly ever wins a championship with just one line. Who do you feel can step up to help your big boys? Will you be bringing in help from outside?

 

Spartan: I think that Las Vegas is deeper than just a first line. Our second line has the potential to be right on par with our first line, and our third line is filled with rookies who are developing quickly. Defensively, we have 6 solid players who can play any role on a team, so they're going to be in a very strong spot come playoffs time. In goal, we have one of the best in the league, so I don't expect to be getting any players from other teams to round out the team.

 

Host: Your team is off to a strong start. You have plenty of hot players right off the bat, with 7 players scoring more than point per game, especially Gary Rush who has 8 goals and 15 points in your first 9 games. Did you expect this to happen? How do you keep the team focused and make sure this hot start to the season does not turn sour real quick?

 

Spartan: I think that it goes without saying that we had high hopes for this season. That players are starting hot isn't really a surprise, but something we had hoped for and borderline expected to happen. Without players starting off hot, we wouldn't be able to get some crucial early season wins to stay in the pack that always forms, racing for #1.  In terms of keeping the team focuses, everyone knows the goal. We're here to win and have a good time while doing it. Everyone has to buy in, and Jiggs and I have made it clear that we're here to help in any way possible.

(applause and cheers starting to rile up in the background)

 

Host: What is the most important quality you are seeking in players who you plan to bring into the team's fold? What is the style of play for your team moving forward? How far do you think you'll go with your current line up? Is there anyone you can bring in who would bring your team over the top?

 

Spartan: I think there are a lot of qualities we look for in a Las Vegas Ace, both on and off the ice. When we're looking at players to bring onto the team, we're looking at active members, positive attitudes, and the willingness to do what it takes to help the team win. We're confident that we can develop players into quality players for our organization and for whichever other team they play for, so we don't really have a set style of play. It's defined by the players on the team, and the best we can do is mold them together in a way that sets this team up for success. As I said earlier, I think this team can take us a long way as is, without any outside assistance. 

 

Host: Alright! Unfortunately, looks like we are almost out of time. Is there any parting words you want to give to the audience and the fans out there?

 

Spartan: Just a massive thank you for support from around the league, and a shout out to everyone who voted for me for the Elmebeck last season. It's truly humbling and appreciated to be recognized, but now the Aces want to win it all!

(the crowd cheers and applauses as a standing ovation begins)

               Thanks for your time buddy, always a pleasure to chat with you.

 

Host: (talking over the loud background cheering)

It's been a pleasure to have you back, Spartan! We hope to have you come on again in the future! Best of luck to for the rest of the season and I look forward to seeing how far the Las Vegas Aces go this season!

(continual cheers and applause could be heard from the background audience as the TV screen goes to credits)

 

[Total Word Count: 2007]

(claims for Sept 27, Oct 4, Oct 11, and Oct 18)

Edited September 28, 2020 by Rhynex Entertainment
Tags failed, retagged everyone

[Rhynex Entertainment 487]

claim for Oct 4

[DreMin15 220]

“and traded for Drew Minnot”

 

*sad Drew Minott noises*

[diacope 1,696]

Appreciate the nod friend, now that's how imterviews should be done! Respect the extra efforts put into answering and coming up with great questions

[Crstats23 342]

Review 

Another fantastic SITR, love the added effects with the crowd cheering, easy to read and to tell were the question ends and answer begins, love the clear effort in the questions and answers 

 

rating 10/10

[Rhynex Entertainment 487]

claim Oct 11

[Rhynex Entertainment 487]

claim Oct 18