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The Ray Report™ #2 - The Dragons Den [x2 Draft Media]
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The Ray Report™ #2 - The Dragons Den      [x2 Draft Media]


It is a brisk evening in Calgary the day after the SHL entry draft. The Dragons are holding a small media session in a conference room inside the Big-Parm Arena. They are filming an internal Q&A session for Dragons.Tv with their newly acquired defenseman, Richard LaFleur. The city is buzzing with excitement over their new prospect. While LaFleur is making himself available to the general media in the coming days, one greasy reporter and his trusty sidekick will not wait that long. Determined to get the scoop on LaFleur and be the first to publish a first-hand interview with the prospect, they will stop at nothing to get the story.



Ray Porter splashed the water in his face and scrubbed hard with his hands. "All right Porter, it's showtime. Gotta stay sharp" he thought to himself as the water dripped from his face onto a tattered and torn brown suit. He adjusted his bowtie and turned to his companion. Cam Ramen was an aloof individual. In a muscle shirt covered in stains, a gut that slightly sticks out the bottom, and unkempt hair, one would make the assumption that he was a bit of a goofball. They would be correct.

"Are you sure you should be splashing that puddle water on your face boss?" Cam asked, slightly perplexed. Ray waved a dismissive hand as he readjusted his pants and then began walking towards the street. They were a couple blocks away from The Big-Parm arena in downtown Calgary. The duo started off down the street, heading in the direction of the arena. People on the sidewalk kept a noticeable distance from the two, some were muttering snide remarks amongst themselves, others pinched their nostrils shut as if hit with an offensive odor.

"We're turning heads" Ray casually mentioned to Cam as the arena came closer into view. "Soon we're going to become the most respected reporters in Calgary. Straight to the top!" Cam didn't look like he heard him. He was looking at the sky with his head slightly tilted. Whether he was trying to figure out if that light was a star or a satellite, or trying to decide what he was going to have for dinner, we'll never know. "Cam!" Ray grunted in frustration, poking his pudgy friend with a single finger. "Are you paying attention? It's almost time. Did you bring what I asked?" Cam snapped back to reality and brought forth a brown paper bag. The bottom was drenched in grease. Ray nodded his head in approval. "Good, good. You didn't eat any of it did you?" Cam shook his head no. Ray didn't believe him, but there wasn't any more time to dwell on that now. Ray continued, "We're going right into the Dragons Den here Cam, I hope you're ready." Cam perked up in excitement. "Dragons Den! I love that show!" Ray shook his head, but did not respond.

At a side entrance on the back end of the arena, a lone security guard stood outside the door. His head was down as he was looking at something on his phone. The sound of footsteps drew his attention upwards, and he watched two shabby men approach.

Ray Porter waved his hand at the guard and greeted him in an overly friendly tone. "Good evening! Ray Porter with the Ray Report™ reporting at the scheduled time. We have an appointment to interview Calgary's newest prospect, Richard LaFleur." The security guard narrowed his eyes and replied in an almost bored tone, "The general media is allowed into the building tomorrow. You'll have to come back then." Ray pressed, "I was hoping we could get a few words with him tonight." He nudged Cam with his elbow, who brought out the greasy brown paper bag once again. Cam reached in and produced a piece of chicken drowned in cheese and tomato sauce. There was a noticeable bite taken out of the end of it. The tomato sauce dripped in a steady rhythm onto the pavement below. "Maybe THIS will change your mind?" Ray beamed with supreme confidence. With a heavy sigh, the security guard put his hands on his hips. Clearly unimpressed, he spoke in an annoyed tone. "I'm going to have to ask you both to leave. Now."

Cam placed the chicken back into the bag, and wiped his hands on his shirt. Ray, visibly disappointed, nodded, and together with Cam, continued walking around the back of the arena. "You really gave up easily there." Cam mused as he licked the remnants of sauce off of his fingers. "You're losing some of your tenacity". Ray turned towards him, "Absolutely not! We're getting into that arena, one way or another. Let's see if we can find another way in."

_________________________________________________________________________

Inside a conference room in the arena, Richard LaFleur was sat behind a long desk. The Calgary Dragons logo was on a red tapestry behind him, and the desk itself was covered in a Dragons.Tv promotional drape. Behind the desk with LaFleur were several members of Dragons management, and some members of the team. One row of chairs were sat before the desk, and they were filled with various members of the Dragons.Tv media team. At the desk with LaFleur was Calgary Dragons General Manager, Esa and his Co-General Manager, Izzy. Barry Batsbak, a center for the Dragons, veteran alumni Bernik Vzrala and winger Joseph Weston round out the team present for the conference. The preparations were complete, and they proceeded with the Q&A session.

If Richard LaFleur was nervous, he didn't show it. He couldn't help but notice how well he looked in red as he admired his new jersey. He wore a black cap with a dragon on the front.

Esa, the Calgary Dragons General Manager opened the questions in a friendly tone.

Quote:What was your draft experience like? How did it feel to get selected by the Dragons at #10?

"Overall, my draft experience was a very exciting one! I was privileged to be contacted by some amazing teams, and had lots of positive conversations with very nice people. I think I was more relaxed this time around with the SHL draft compared to my junior draft. I was nervous for the junior draft, but this time I was able to enjoy and savor the experience with minimal stress."

"It felt amazing to get drafted by the Dragons. They were a team that has been on my radar ever since I joined the SHL. Having known Izzy and Katth from Kelowna, they had nothing but good things to say about Calgary. Landing here was my ideal scenario. I couldn't have asked for a more welcoming and positive club to support me for the foreseeable future in my young career."

Quote:Did you spend draft night with your family or do anything special for the event?

"Unfortunately I haven't been able to make it back to Vancouver yet. I've been training in Kelowna for the upcoming World Juniors where I'm playing for Team Canada Red. I was able to talk to them on the phone, however, and they were obviously very excited and proud of me. I'm very lucky. Without the support of my parents, I wouldn't be where I am today. I will always be grateful to them, and I plan on sending them on a vacation somewhere hot!"

Quote:What can Dragons fans expect from you in the future, how would you describe your game?

"I've gotten tons of messages on social media already from fans here in Calgary. They are so passionate about the game, and have been very welcoming to me. So, thank you for inviting me into your beautiful city with open arms."

"In terms of playstyle on the ice, the fans here in Calgary can expect a fast paced game from me. I love to contribute offensively while still being responsible in the defensive end. I'll give it my all every shift, and leave everything on the ice. When the time comes in a few seasons, it's going to be an absolute honor to represent such an incredible organization and fanbase here in Calgary."

Quote:Do you have a special pre-game meal or any superstitions?

"I always have a small nap after the morning skate. Heading towards game time, you can rest assured I will always find the bacon. Just a couple pieces. Maybe. In terms of superstitions, I don't think I have any that are too outlandish or weird. I did have a bit of an episode when one of my teammates in Kelowna moved my shoes by the door. I'm not sure what that was all about."

Quote:Is it true that your jersey has been a better seller among female fans in Kelowna than #A-Rye Izzy's?

LaFleur did his best to hide a small satisfied smirk, but failed.

"The fans in Kelowna are a passionate bunch, that's for sure. While it may be true that my jersey is performing better with the female demographic, I think he's making more money than I am. I saw him a few times behind Prospera Place selling his jerseys out of the back of a van. Maybe I shouldn't be telling you guys this, can we cut this part out?"

Quote:What are the intangible's that will make Lafleur one of the best players in this draft class?

"I believe I have the work ethic to succeed in the long-term. Given the right environment, like the one here in Calgary and in Kelowna with the Knights, there's no telling the ceiling for my potential. Paired with that, I have confidence in my ability on the ice. I'll never take anything for granted, and will always strive for constant improvement. Stagnating and becoming stale is not in my future. I will evolve, adapt, and grow into the best player I can possibly be. I feel very lucky to be where I am today, and I will work hard to live up to the expectations of both of my clubs, and the ones placed on myself. There are some incredible players in my draft class, but I just need to focus on my game. If I start comparing myself to other players, I'll just be distracting myself from my goals."

Quote:What areas of your game are you focusing on for your sophomore season?

"So far I've been improving areas of my physical game. Making sure my edge work is sharp, and my legs are ready. Heading closer to the season, I plan on doing a bit of work on my offensive game. Having another thirty point season is one of my goals. Being able to read the play in the offensive zone a bit better, and improving my shot should help with that a bit more. I'm not neglecting the defensive side of my game, however. Being a liability on the ice is not something that I find acceptable. I need to make sure I'm responsible and reliable. Not letting my offensive game interfere with the defensive side of things."

Quote:What's Kelowna looking like next season and their chances for the cup?

"Things are shaping up to be really good here in Kelowna for the upcoming season. Acquiring Michael Scotch and Farley Hank in a trade with Anaheim, drafting Benjamin Blue II and Kou Saotome, combined with our strong capped forward line, we are making an aggressive push this year. Everyone is on the same page, working hard, and we're going to be ready."

Quote:Have you viewed the Dragons delicious food channel yet? What about the Party room??

"I'm trying to stay away from the food channel! I took a peek and it made me hungry almost immediately. I'm trying to keep a strict diet preparing for the World Juniors, and I don't want anything to spoi-"

A loud thud was heard and resonated throughout the conference room. Everyone looked up at a ventilation shaft that seemed to be wobbling back and forth. If you listened really hard, you might have been able to hear what sounded like muffled swearing. The banging continued for a moment and then subsided. Only those with the keenest eyes could have noticed a small flip phone pressed up against an exposed vent.

Next up asking questions was Joseph Weston, a left winger for the Calgary Dragons.

Quote:Thoughts on the most recent J and SHL drafts?

"Yeah the drafts were very exciting this year. The production value on the draft itself was fantastically done. The team responsible for putting it all together should be very proud of their efforts. The SHL draft in particular saw a large talent pool of incredible players. We're an aggressive class, one that I'm sure will produce many superstars going forward. I'm honored to be among such amazing young talent. The junior draft was exciting as well, it's another crop of strong potential players. We all have a bright future ahead of us."

Quote:What do you think of each team's branding?

"I'll just go ahead and list them from top to bottom and give my thoughts, instead of listing them from best to worst. In my opinion, of course!

Atlanta Inferno - Atlanta has an awesome logo and color scheme. Their alternate logo, in particular, is very clever. I love the addition of a hockey stick from the T. Their jerseys are also fantastic, and not too harsh on the eyes.

Baltimore Platoon - This one I'm less sure about. Is a platoon a flock of eagles? Is it in relation to the military? I feel I might be being a little bit ignorant when it comes to things relating to Baltimore, so I apologize! Their jerseys work very well with the dark blue and that shade of red. Very nice.

Buffalo Stampede - Their logo is very clean and straight to the point. I really enjoy their home and away jerseys, it's giving me big Minnesota North Star vibes. I'm not a big fan of the alternate uniform, but I have a personal bias against bright yellow jerseys. Their alternate logo is another clever one, well done.

Chicago Syndicate - Listen up here, you're comin' with meee seeeee? Bugsy, bake em away toys! I love the concept for this team. It's fun, unique, and looks fantastic. Their away jerseys in particular look amazing with the grey they have on their shoulders. What is it with teams and their bright yellow alternate jerseys?

Hamilton Steelhawks - This is the first jersey that I think I disagree with the color scheme. Adding a lighter gray that matches the color of the bird in place of the yellow. Their logo is fantastic. Simple, yet very pleasing to the eyes. Their alternate logo and shoulder patch is very cool with the talons grabbing it from the back.

Manhattan Rage - Manhattans logo is literally amazing. You take one look at that and you're like, oh I know what they're all about. Sporting a color scheme similar to the New Jersey Devils, it looks really good. This is one of my favorites.

New England Wolfpack - Alright, whose idea was it to put a hockey stick in the wolfs mouth? That's one of the greatest things I've ever seen. I love the colors for the home and away jerseys, one of the better color schemes in the league. THE DOG HAS A STICK!

Tampa Bay Barracuda - Alright, whose idea was it to put a hockey stick in the barracudas mou- wait a minute. Their logo is pretty awesome, and I dig the colors. I'd maybe like the barracuda to be a little bit longer, but that's just me being nitpicky. I can't seem to find their jerseys, so I can't comment on that.

Toronto North Stars - Love the incorporation of the CN tower in their logo. What an awesome way to pay homage to the city itself, and it works so well with the Canadian maple leaf. Their colors are simple, and aren't trying to do anything too fancy. Something that I appreciate. I also really enjoy the maple leaf on the forearm part of their away jerseys, good look!

Calgary Dragons - Call me a bit bias, but I think Calgary has the best logo in the entire league. The Dragon is super clean and looks AWESOME. The shade of red isn't harshly bright, and the entire thing as a whole is just incredible.

Edmonton Blizzard - Edmonton's Wolf is absolutely gorgeous! Looking super stoic and cute, I'd give it pets for sure. As mentioned before, I'm not a huge fan of the brightness of the teal, but it works very well for the Blizzard.

Los Angeles Panthers - Love this one. Their logo is very well made, and looks super clean. Their home jersey color scheme is among the best that I've seen so far, the dark teal and orange work wonderfully together. This is another one of my favorites.

Minnesota Monarchs - The Monarchs get big points from me because of the beard. Beard. Crown. Scepter. All good things. I'm not sure if the white on his shoulders is supposed to be the top of a magnificent cape, but I like to imagine he's shirtless and has a bad attitude. Great logo!

New Orleans Specters - Oh boy, the Specters! These guys have a wicked logo of spooky shadow man. The purple and black is sweet and it works together well as a whole. I wish the purple on the jerseys was a little bit darker, but it still looks awesome. Good work here! There's a lot going on in their alternate logo with some kind of jester theme, I'm just going to avoid commenting on that.

San Francisco Pride - More purple! Pairing it with white gives the Pride a solid looking home jersey. Their logo made me immediately think "yup, that's a lion!" so mission accomplished in that retard. Their shoulder patch looks awesome! What is it with the yellow on the alternate jerseys!?

Seattle Argonauts - Now this is cool! Seattle out here with the ancient Greek branding! I love their logo, alternate logo, everything. The dark blue and gold compliment each other so well, I'm very glad they didn't go with bright yellow here. Another top tier!

Texas Renegades - Cowboy with a mask? Check. Cowboy hat? Check. Hockey sticks? Check. Texas' logo is great. I think I prefer the full gray one, instead of the state flag colors. Black, white, and gray for their jersey makes looking stylish and sleek very easy. Great choices here.

Winnipeg Aurora - Recently rebranded, the Aurora are looking CLEAN. That dark shade of green/teal looks so good, and it uses all of the colors from their logo. Everything packaged together works on a high level. You can tell lots of work went into it.

Quote:How do you feel the playoff format could be changed or improved?

"I can't say I have enough experience with the playoff format to really comment on it. I know I've seen it talked about negatively, and people are wanting it changed. Hopefully a solution is found that can solve everyone's immediate grievances with the current system."

Quote:What does your player do to relax?

"I've actually picked up yoga during the past year to help me with stretching and calming me down. Using certain breathing exercises to maintain control has added positively to my game on the ice. If you came by my house in Kelowna on an off day, no practice, you'd find me in my hot tub with steaks burning on the barbeque. I also really enjoy golfing, even though I'm absolutely terrible at it."

Quote:What do you think of either HO?

"Again, I'm not too familiar with the inner workings of head office. Being a newcomer, I have yet to get my feet wet with his things work behind the scenes. I have seen the commissioner, luketd, make some changes that have been well received. So that's encouraging!"

Next up is Barry Batsbak, center for the Calgary Dragons.

Quote:What are your expectations for your player in Calgary?

"I am hoping to be a core member of the team in the coming years. I want to be someone that makes a difference on a consistent basis, and be someone that can be relied on at any point during the season or the playoffs. I'm only going to achieve that with hard work, and I'm ready for the challenge."

Quote:Did you know anybody on the team except me prior to joining?

"Besides you and Izzy, I met everyone for the first time yesterday. They were all very welcoming, and have made things very easy and relaxed for me. It seems like a fantastic group, and I'm lucky to be a part of it. From all interactions I've had so far, Calgary seems like the ideal environment for me to continue my development."

Quote:Do you like chicken parmesan?

"Chicken, good. Cheese, good. Tomato sauce? GOOOOOOOOOD. I can't eat any right now, unfortunately, but I'll be sure to spoil myself sometime soon."

Shuffling was again heard from the ventilation shaft hanging above everybody, accompanied again by muffled voices that seemed to be arguing. There were a few more loud bangs, and then all was quiet. One of the staff members in the conference room hopped on the radio, and it seemed like they were going to investigate.

Next is Bernik Vzrala, a Calgary Dragons alumni.

Quote:Is your player super involved in their national team?

"I'm a part of Team Canada Red at the World Juniors this year, and I couldn't be happier to represent my country. It's a great opportunity and will be a memorable experience for me. We have some awesome players, and I know we're all going to be working hard and ready to go when the time comes."

Quote:What is your Impression of the dragons facilities?

"I actually got a tour around earlier this morning. There is a fantastic setup here with everything you could possibly be looking for. I think at one point I even saw a rowing machine that was decorated to look like you were flapping a dragons wings. I can get down with that. I can't wait to get acquainted with everything available, and take full advantage of it."

Quote:What’s your workout routine?

"I work on cardio as a main focus to make sure my gas tank is the best it can be. It can get very arduous down the stretch when you're hurt and tired. Making sure I'm prepared in that regard can mitigate some of that. I work on strength, core, and various stretches to make sure my body is performing the best it physically can."

Quote:What’s your biggest weakness in your eyes?

"I'm not the biggest guy around, so I need to make sure I'm supplementing my strength in other areas. Being mobile, explosive, and maybe even a little bit sneaky will put me on a competitive level with some of the bigger players. It's something I'm aware of, and I try to adapt my game with that in mind."

One of the members of Dragons.Tv stood up from the chairs and spoke, "Alright, perfect guys! I think we got everything we need." Everyone stood up from the desk and exchanged handshakes with the new prospect. The mood in the room was positive and light. It was shattered with an ear piercing screech when one side of the ventilation shaft attached to the ceiling slipped off its supports and fell to the ground with a loud crash. Luckily no-one was near the back of the room where it fell, and everyone turned and stared. As it hit the ground, the grate covering one of the intakes popped off, and a man in a dirty, torn brown suit came tumbling out. Behind him, a pair of greasy sweatpants got stuck and began kicking frantically.

"Cam! I got ya!" Ray sounded frantic as he pulled on his friends ankles, trying to dislodge him from his steely prison. With a final heave, Cam popped out and they both stood up. There was a moment of eerie silence in the room. Everyone stood and stared at each other.

"Run!" Ray bellowed, and he took off towards the nearest door with Cam in hot pursuit. Security scrambled after them. The last thing LaFleur saw, was a greasy shirted man taking a large bite out of a goopy piece of chicken parmesan, giving him a thumbs up as he sprinted out of the room.
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#2

I am stoked to have you join us in Calgary and to have been able to acquire an elite talent at 10th overall! Dragonite

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#3

Sweet article, glad we snagged you

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#4

Great read!! Love the story-line!

You're going to be a star in this league!!

Dragonite

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#1 All-Time SHL Goal & Point Scorer 
- First 2,000 TPE Player in SHL History - 
- First 400 Goal Scorer in SHL History -
- Only 500 Goal Scorer in SHL History -
- First GM to Win 5 & 6 Challenge Cups -
Esa Anrikkanen Award - SMJHL ROY - Est. S34
Vidrik Onoprienko Award Winner - S45

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#5
(This post was last modified: 02-01-2021, 03:53 AM by DeletedAtUserRequest.)

Code:
LaFleur did his best to hide a small satisfied smirk, but failed.

"The fans in Kelowna are a passionate bunch, that's for sure. While it may be true that my jersey is performing better with the female demographic, I think he's making more money than I am. I saw him a few times behind Prospera Place selling his jerseys out of the back of a van. Maybe I shouldn't be telling you guys this, can we cut this part out?"


#A-Rye In-van special:
With the purchase of a Jersey, get a quarter pound of fresh #bark for free.

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Knights|Dragons|Austria
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#6

Congrats on ending up in Calgary! I remember wishing we could've had you in Newfoundland before the draft last year and I can't help but feel the same feeling about New England after this latest draft. Best of luck in Calgary, it's a historic organization and I'm sure you'll love it!

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#7

Dragonite

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#8

Great post here! Very happy to have you in Calgary Dragons

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First SHL goal on first SHL shot in first SHL game.

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