Good day, ladies and gentlemen! Today, we have the privilege again in speaking with the Moosejaw Buccaneers Hockey team, the team continues to make good decisions this season and has been rewarded in getting to the playoffs. First of all, thank you for joining us. Let's start by getting to know the team. Could you introduce yourselves?
Moosejaw Buccaneers Hockey Team
· Team Captain: Jouka Federov
· Assistant Captain: Dunc Gronsdahl, Miha Zaitsev
· Coach: Hannes Petrovic
· GM: Chris Gjelsvik
· Goalkeeper: Ernar Thalmann
· Defensemen: Dana Bois, Ukka-Pekka Labrie
· Forwards: Allan Bedarnski, Anttie-Jussi Mojzis
Cameron: Thank you all for being here. Jouka, as the team captain, could you tell us what this means to the team this year in making the playoffs,
Jouka: Absolutely! I know I can speak for the team this season had some high expectations from management and high expectations from each of us. I am proud of how the team came together this season, management continued to try and improve the team added some quality playoff experience players in Horava and Pike. Overall, we have played well with some ups and downs, however we are all excited for the playoffs and look forward to the task of playing the Calgary Storm.
Cameron: I will ask this to the panel, this season the team played well against Calgary any idea why that was?
Miha: Thanks for the question, Cameron, ill take this one. We see Calgary four times a year and they are good well-structured team with some huge star fire power in all aspects of there line up. I think for us especially this year is we started to learn from our mistakes from previous seasons and we started playing a more balanced game. That being said we played well against Calgary but there a different team in the playoffs and we need to be ready for them, but we look forward to competing with them this season.
Cameron: Hannes, as the coach, what do you believe was the success this year with this group of players?
Coach Hannes: One word: resilience. Our team has faced numerous hurdles, both on and off the ice. However, we have never let adversity define us. We believe in hard work, discipline, and never giving up. Our players are committed to pushing their limits, constantly improving, and supporting one another as a family.
Cameron: Hannes, your on the last year of your contract, can you tell me has there been any talk of an extension?
Coach Hannes: Come on Cameron that’s not they type of question I am going to answer here at this press conference. I am currently not worried about that and focused on the task ahead in the first round of the playoffs.
Cameron: Ernar, as the goalkeeper, you play a crucial role in the team's success. What motivates you to guard the net?
Ernar: As a goalkeeper, I understand the tremendous responsibility of protecting the team's goal. Every game is a new challenge, and my motivation comes from the trust my teammates have in me. Knowing that my performance directly impacts the team's success pushes me to always give my best. I have had solid support from the team year after year and I am having my best year to date, I hope I can continue this ride against the Storm.
Cameron: Allan and Antie-Jussi, as forwards, what do you consider the team's strengths on the offensive end?
Anttie: Our strength lies in our versatility. We have forwards who excel in speed, others with exceptional stickhandling skills, and those who possess a powerful shot. This diversity allows us to adapt to different game situations and keep our opponents guessing.
Allan: Additionally, our team chemistry has been a significant asset. We know each other's playing style, anticipate movements, and create opportunities through seamless teamwork.
Cameron: Dan and Ukkka, as defensemen, what is the key to your success in maintaining a solid defense?
Dan: Communication is the backbone of our defensive strategy. We constantly communicate with our goaltender and each other, ensuring we cover gaps and protect our zone effectively. When being traded to MooseJaw in the offseason last year I was unsure on what to expect but myself and Ukka have worked well together and have had great success this season.
Ukka: Discipline and positioning are also vital. We work hard on maintaining proper gaps, stick placement, and utilizing our physicality when necessary. These elements combine to form a strong defensive unit. Playing with a quality defenceman like boisy makes my job easy.
Cameron: Chris, what are the aspirations and goals of the Moosejaw Buccaneers Hockey team for the future?
General Manager Gjelsvik: Our primary goal is to continue growing and elevating our performance. We want to be a force to be reckoned with in our league and ultimately pursue championship glory. However, I look forward to what the end of this season brings us, glory or disappointment we are constantly working on getting this team into contention.
General Manager Gjelsvik: I would like to thank the organization and team members that attended todays press conference. We will be taking a small break and Chris and Hannes will be back to take more questions.
Cameron: Fantastic. Well, let's dive right in. Coach Hannes, how do you feel about your team's performance leading up to the playoffs?
Coach Hannes: I'm extremely proud of our team's performance this season. We've worked hard to develop a cohesive unit that plays with intensity and executes our game plan. We've had some ups and downs, as every team does, but overall, I think we're entering the playoffs with a lot of momentum and confidence.
Cameron: That's great to hear, Coach. General Manager Gjelsvik, what are your thoughts on the team's roster and the moves you made leading upto the playoffs?
General Manager Gjelsvik: As a general manager, my focus is always on building a roster that complements our coaching staff's vision. We made some key acquisitions during the season to address specific needs and strengthen our depth. Our goal was to create a versatile and balanced lineup that can excel in different matchups and situations. I believe we've achieved that, and I have faith in the team we've assembled. I said at the beginning of the season we would try to make the team better, and I think we have done that but I am not done and we will continue to look at tweaking the line up after the playoffs.
Cameron: This question can be to either of you, we have noticed that Luukkenon has been a healthy scratch for a good 20 games now, can you disclose the decision behind that, he just signed a hefty extension?
Coach Hannes: Honestly, this has been a tough decision for the club, luukkenon wants to win and has been a solid team play for moosejaw, however we wanted to give some of our younger players some experience and this was the time an opportunity. Luuk has had some personal issues to deal with and we supported his time away from the lineup.
General Manager Gjelsvik: Luuk has been instrumental in our development of our younger talent. However, as coach Hannes said he has been going through a lot personally that has hindered his ability to play at the highest level. We look forward him back in the dressing room as soon as he is ready to compete at the level, we all know he can.
Cameron: Coach Hannes, what are the key areas of focus for your team as you enter the playoffs?
Coach Hannes: One of our primary focuses is maintaining a high level of defensive intensity. Defense wins championships, and we've emphasized that throughout the season. Additionally, staying mentally focused and poised in high-pressure situations will be crucial for success in the playoffs.
Cameron: General Manager Gjelsvik, with the playoffs approaching, are there any particular challenges you anticipate the team facing?
General Manager Gjelsvik: Playoffs always bring a whole new level of competition and intensity. We'll be facing some of the best teams in the league, so every game will be a battle. Injuries are also a concern at this stage, so we've been proactive in ensuring our players are in the best physical condition possible. Overall, we understand the challenges ahead, but we're prepared to face them head-on.
Cameron: Coach Hannes, can you share any adjustments or strategies you plan to implement specifically for the playoffs?
Coach Hannes: Without revealing too much, our coaching staff has analyzed the Calgary Storm and identified areas where we can exploit their weaknesses. We'll be making some tactical adjustments to maximize our chances of success. However, it's important to remember that flexibility is key in the playoffs. Adjustments will be made on the fly, game by game, as we assess the situation and react accordingly.
Cameron: Finally, General Manager Gjelsvik, what are the team's goals and expectations for the playoffs?
General Manager Gjelsvik: Our ultimate goal, like any team, is to win the championship. That's what we're working towards. We've built a team that we believe has the talent, depth, and chemistry to make a deep playoff run. We understand that the playoffs are a journey, and our focus is on taking it one game at a time. Our expectation is for our players to give their all, compete with passion, and represent our organization and fans to the best of their abilities.
Cameron: Thank you, Coach Hannes and General Manager Gjelsvik, for sharing your insights and best of luck in the upcoming playoff battle with the Calgary Storm.