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+---- Thread: Toivo New England Co-GM Presser (/showthread.php?tid=73659)
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- Toivo - 03-20-2017
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ready for grading.... 4,000 wordsHello All, and thanks for the congratulations!
It's been announced that I'll be joining Eggy as Co-GM of The Wolfpack. Tomorrow will be 6 months from the S31 draft, when I came to NEW. Those 180 days flew by, and I've built relationships with a lot of great people here. This past season, working with Leetch in Halifax was also a memorable blast. I feel bad for leaving the Halifax position after just one season, but I think the experience of managing the team Kosonen is playing for, and the great people NEW is too good to pass on. I'm very thrilled to start working with Eggy. He might be a polarizing figure, loved by a lot, hated by a lot; but since coming to NEW, Eggy has been a tremendous mentor and good friend.
Questions
Insayne
Q: Are you excited for your first SHL entry draft from the "war room" of a GM rather then as a player?
It’s an interesting experience because I was in the Halifax “war room” just over a month ago with these same players. In Halifax, we had one pick, and we didn’t really hit a homerun. So with the SMJHL season completed, I think I have a better chance at having a good draft. It’s not a deep draft, but with early picks, it’ll be one that we can add a couple quality players to the Pack. I have started the scouting process over again, and it's going to be an exciting draft. The number of prospects isn't crazy, but there are some solid pickups that will add to New England for seasons to come. There's a good mix this draft of first gen players and re-creates. I don't have a preference for first gen players or recreates, I just would like to add a few more friendly, active players. So, I do look forward to my first SHL draft from the war room.
Q: Do you think your experience as a SMJHL GM will help you in the scouting/drafting process?
I’m pretty sure it will. As I covered a bit, I have experience with these players, and I’ve seen who is active/inactive. We have some great prospects in this draft, and I’m excited to get another crack at this class. This past season in Halifax, we saw a team struggle out the gate, then Leetch and I knew we needed adjustments. We tweaked lines a bit, swapped goalies, and eventually the team found its chemistry and went onto win the President's trophy. That was quite the accomplishment and showed that Leetch and I could handle adversity when it happens.
Jenny
Q; How does it feel to be co-GM with a pony?
That pony’s probably the most successful pony in the SHL, and because of that, I’m fine with it. GM Rainbow Dash has been good in his role and I’m sure Dash will be a good mentor for me.
Q: Can I please have more money?
Are you even worth what we pay now?
Q: What kind of vision do you have for NEW's future? What are the first steps to realizing that vision?
Part of the NEW core that played roles in New England winning championships is aging out or becoming inactive. Eggy and I know that we need to add some young active players to the locker room. If we can get a deep team that’s active and constantly improving their players as much as they can, we’ll be winning the cup all the time. I don’t plan a changeover for the image of NEW, I really enjoy the friendly and welcoming environment we have in New England. For the most part, everyone is chill and friendly already in New England, so it won’t be difficult to keep this established.
Q: Do you think you'll be able to bring new life into the New England locker room?
With some key members reducing their involvement, NEW locker room has seen a decrease in activity. Part of improving activity will be accomplished in the off-season, we will become even more active with if we can add a couple pieces (through draft or trades) that are still interested in the SHL. One of the big reasons we need to add a few more actives is so that our depth continues to improve and once our top-end talent is finished, we have their replacements ready. New England is still the most active locker room I’m in, across the leagues. So it’s not like a ghost town by any means. In the end, you want to add people that are going to be active, but life happens for everyone, and eventually everyone will get busy so it's just a matter of a little bit of skill and a little bit of luck when drafting and acquiring free agents.
Eggy216
Q: How do you feel about the future of New England?
I think most people can agree that New England has a bright future ahead. We’re still alive in these playoffs, hopefully able to rally back against Toronto and go onto the finals. I was first called up, as you probably remember, last playoffs in round 2. It stung losing in round 2, getting swept by Manhattan. If we are able to add a little bit more to this great core that you and other New England general manager’s have been building, we will be set for a very long time. I think we’re fortunate to have such great people on the team, people that want to keep improving and stay in New England. Since we have those active people willing to update and stay, we’ve been a contender for a while, and ought to be for a long time.
Q: What are you most excited for about GMing in the SHL? Most worried about?
I’m excited about Toivo Kosonen being on the team I GM, for starters. Toivo Kosonen is my first sim hockey player, and while I have experience GMing with Elijah Jones of the Ontario Owls, I’m excited for Kosonen. Outside of the PHL, which I’ve been apart of for 3 seasons now, SHL is bigger than SMJHL and GOMHL. The size of the league increases the complexities, as there are more teams/players you must know. Overall, I’m pretty excited to get into the SHL and have the chance to compete for the Challenge Cup.
Q: What do you think will be the biggest difference between SHL and SMJHL GMing?
WIth the SMJHL, there was this general parity where the teams were pretty equal in talent.
Some teams in the SMJHL are more stacked than others, but with the 350 tpe cap, there’s really not too big of a difference between teams. In the SHL, I imagine the parity is less so. I mean, look at the Challenge Cup winners, it’s been New England and Calgary for a while, and they’re both in the finals this season. Teams can build deep quality rosters that dominate the league. We’re seeing that play out right now, and it’s something I’m pretty excited about being apart of.
Q: Are you ever going to win a second round playoff series?
S30 Four Star Cup Champion, S31 went to the Finals. And since I’m typing this on Thursday, yeah, you bet your ass I am!
Q: Can Jenny please have more money?
Jenny can when Jenny earns it. The Game 7 Game-Winning-Goal was pretty good, but let’s see more production out of Mia Landvik.
NYRangers3061
Q: Any goals for your first season as a SHL GM?
I hope to add to to the activity in New England. When I say that, I don’t mean it’s bad or dead, it certainly isn’t, but we’ve had a few people go inactive and it’s not making us any stronger. I know it’s unrealistic to assume that everyone on the team can/will be active, but it’s an area I’d like to improve on to help our depth.
Q: What are you most looking forward to as GM of New England?
It’s going ot be fun to help manage my player and my teammates. I missed that opprotunity with Halifax since this season was my first one as GM and my rookie season in New England for Toivo Kosonen. About six months ago, this team welcomed me with open arms and was excited they’d drafted me. It was an awesome feeling and moment coming into a franchise with such nice and great people; now I can possibly help these people win more cups and stay in the same place.
Q: What are your expectations for Kosonen in S34?
I feel that Kosonen had a decent season. He’ll need to mature a bit more to up his production and possibly move up pairings. At the moment, Kosonen is on the third pairing, and I’d like to see him grow into a 3-4 defenseman next season. He’s training hard, constantly improving, so I don’t really think that’s out of the question or anything.
How was it working with Leetch as a GM?
Q: GM Leetch is great at what he does. It was always nice and easy to talk about lines, trades, and the league in general. I fully expected the working relationship and duo of Leetch and Toivo to last for several seasons. It wasn’t my intentions to ditch Halifax after a season. Leetch is someone I have a lot of good chemistry with, and I’m sad that we’re not working together anymore. Hopefully one day we will get another opportunity, whether it’s GOMHL, IIHF, SHL, or SMJHL.
Winter is Coming
Congratulations on the promotion!
Toivo: Thanks!
Q: How do you plan on tampering with me during free agency?
Let’s keep that on discord
Q:Who is replacing your ass in Halifax?
Not sure yet. Hopefully it’s someone great though, for Leetch’s sake. I really hope Leetch is able to find someone that will put in the hours with him and make Halifax great.
Edit: Bozzz has been announced as the new Co-GM in Halifax. I am very proud of Bozzz. Bozzz was apart of the S30 Raiders which was the most fun I've had in sim hockey. Bozzz has been a great teammate in my seasons in Halifax and I'm very happy for her. On GOMHL, Bozzz is my 1C and has helped me in the past break down stats and tell me what we should be working on. I think Bozzz has a great hockey mind and gets the sim. I'm sure that Bozzz and Leetch will not only work well together, but will win a Four Star Cup in the near future. Leetch is a great GM, and with Bozzz as Co-GM, the Halifax Raiders are as good as ever. I am very pleased that Leetch was able to hire within and hire a true Raider like Bozzz. I know Bozzz loves the Raiders, and I'm very excited for them. Hiring an S30 Raider is amazing, I cherish these individuals and really can't explain how happy I am with this hiring.
Q: Why did my turkey tonight taste dry?
How was it cooked? I’m not sure about cooking turkeys, but for chicken, it’s best to rotisserie it.
Storm
Q: Can you redistribute Eggy's wealth among the team?
Run the plans for how we pull this off by my desk, and we can make it happen. We’ll all get at least $10M.
Tanner
Q: Explain in 1000 words or more why you deserve this GM position more than me, an older and more experienced member.
Thank your for the question, Tanner, it helps the cause. It was 180 days ago, NEW drafted me 18th overall. I had been passed on 17 times, that’s fine, I wasn’t a top-5 player, I get it. Falling into the middle of the 2nd round somewhat bothered me. I had put in the effort like those before me, but was passed up on. Few months later, still carrying this chip on my shoulder, I tell Eggy216 that he can count on me to be loyal when the time comes because he/they believed in me. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, it was time to pay Eggy216 back for that. To do so, I demanded a 1 season contract with a NTC, this worried Eggy216, and probably wasn’t the best thing to do. I wasn’t planning on leaving New England, and I would like to point out that I signed for the minimum for my TPE bracket. There seemed to be some controversy with younger SHL players being named in positions, so it seemed like a perfect opportunity for a guy like Eggy216 to make things about himself. There might be some folks out there that dislike what Eggy216 has done, but Eggy216 is a man of brilliant reasoning, so his entire masterplan will be realized sooner or later.
Vbottas17
Q: What is the most exciting part about moving up to a management role in the big leagues?
Getting to know and work with all the SHL General Managers will be interesting. For the past season I was getting used to working with all the fine SMJHL general managers, now I get to do that with the SHL GM’s. There’s a lot of SHL GM’s that I’ve gotten to know, but quite a few that I’ve never talked with, so it’ll be an experience getting to know them all and establish working relationships. That is, if they don’t all hate me already for being Wolfpack.
Q: Who are you going to tamper with first?
Banning, Alex Reed, Reed Laing, Issac Kaiser, Pris, Bozzz; all of those S30 Raiders. I love all of those guys, and it would be great to play with them again, it was pretty special season for me and those players as well.
Q: You guys have some high draft picks, what is the first thing you will look for in the draft eligible prospects?
I haven’t gotten into any lengthy discussions with Eggy yet over who we’re taking and what we’re looking for. We’ve just spoke briefly about the needs of the organization and what the future ought to look like. We’re definitely going after the really active players, but of course personality is going to be taken into account.
Q: Describe Colin Banning in less than 3 words.
Original Gangster
But for real, Colin Banning was great for my development in S30 and S31. Banning had a brief tenure as GM, as long as mine in Halifax, but as a captain and mentor, Colin Banning was great for Toivo Kosonen as a young player. I hate that Banning and I aren't playing together anymore, and it doesn't look likely they will play together anytime soon since Banning is a prized possession of Portland. Banning is a great friend and I have to say, he really helped me get on my feet as a young player, and that's very valuable. SHL needs more guys like Colin.
WannabeFinn
Q: When you gonna overthrow Eggy and change the image of the Wolfpack?
So, I’m obviously cool with Eggy, but I also understand some people’s concerns with The Wolfpack image. I didn’t really know what The Wolfpack was about before being drafted here. I only knew that they were thought of as different, and then I noticed more and more that people trashed NEW for being about ponies and what not. This is not the case, it’s not like you join NEW and you’re forced to watch My Little Pony (it might be implicit, tho). So, hopefully some quality members that are thinking about signing onto New England, but had hesitations about how their image might appear, will think differently with me at the helm. I like to try to be really nice as well, but I think my image is somewhat different. So yeah, just to clarify, not planning on changing New England, but trying to make it feel more welcoming to people who are concerned about becoming a target.
Green
Q: Will you draft me?
Possibly, you’ve done well with Xander Green, and New England will need depth/future centers. I could see us drafting Xander Green with one of our picks.
tweedledunn
Q: How many pizzas have you eaten this year?
So I have pizza weekly, but more than that some weeks, so we’ll say 6 times a month. I eat 2-3 slices a time, and we’re 3 months into 2017, so that’s 6*2.5*3=45 slices. 45/8=5.625… So about 5 and a half pizzas.
JKortesi81
Q:How will you defend the eventual accusations from kit that you're too young and inexperienced to hold this position?
Congrats babe.
Thanks! Kit probably has some valid concerns and frustrations. I’d like to point out though, that the 7-8 months I’ve been here haven’t been spent idly. 8 months is still a long time, and it’s more than enough to start absorbing how to run and operate a team. Ontario Owls have been doing decent since I took them over about 4 months ago. I’ve had brief encounters with Kit, and I personally like him. I understand how people from our class can easily be offended by remarks that we’re too inexperienced, but I just don’t let it get to me.
Raven
Q: When are you throwing Eggy off the gm boat and taking over yourself?
Good question Raven. This makes me consider what I’m even doing, because I don’t have this planned out yet. You’re doing a great job reminding me of these things. Once Eggy is disposed of and I assume the rightful position of head General Manager, I will remember your advice and inspiration. You should keep your eye out for a possible offer as a reward.
Q: Why didn't eggy consider me? A handsome, young (but not as young as you, ya baby member) brit who is more experienced.
Poor lad.
Q: How many alcohols is too many alcohols?
Remember that work party you were at and y’all were singing Numa Numa. Probably at that level. Last year I was going to a Hurricanes game, and I didn't want to pay the ridiculous arena prices for beers so I drank a couple tall boys quickly, like under 10 minutes, and headed into the arena. As soon as I got my ticket scanned, I knew I had fucked up and rushed things. I had to head to the bathroom and pass that beer right back up. I guess I must have been too loud, I make all the noises and a little extra when throwing up, a poor worker was outside the stall ready to head in there and make sure things were clean. Either I was too loud, or I looked absolutely rough heading for the bathroom. It was probably a combination of both.
Q: How do you like your chili? Spicy? Many veggies? Tell us how you make it or like it.
This is a good question. I have not made Chili. I cook a lot of things, pastas, casseroles, all kinds of things, but never chili. I like spicy food, and veggies, so I imagine I would do a lot of vegetables, spices, chili sauce, beef, and I’m not entirely sure.
Bozzz
Q: Is Eggy's name a comment on his odor, flavor, or consistency?
Bozzz, pls.
I can't answer that question, but I'll use it to allow me to talk a bit about Eggy. Before the S31 draft, I didn't really know much about Eggy, I hadn't talked to him up to that point. The night before the draft, Eggy asked how I'd feel about being drafted to New England, and I told him that I'd be cool with it, and I didn't believe all the bullshit that people in the thunderdome were spouting out at that time. People were being salty because New England was being successful, and I didn't let that bother me. I'm glad I responded to Eggy, I could see myself on other teams, and playing with other folks, but it wouldn't be as nice as I have it in New England.
Q: What would you do for a Klondike bar?
I would consider trading that scrub Kosonen. Kosonen is never going to be a top-pairing defenseman, so his value might be worth 1-2 klondike bars.
Q: What's one legitimate lesson you'd say your time with the Halifax and Ontario FOs has taught you about how to be an effective GM?
It might be about how to handle trades. I have seen a few people hurt by the possibility of being traded. So, digging into that, I guess we can conclude that people want to feel they’re needed/wanted. It’s pretty difficult to move an active player, and it’s even more difficult once they find out they’re being shopped. One player found this out and was very offended by it. It caused a minor road block in our SHL relationship, but with time all things heal.
Q: Is friendship really magic, though?
Yes, otherwise you would probably not spend much times with friends. The best part about friendship is that you’re able to go weeks, months, maybe even years with little or no interaction, and then strike it back up like nothing happened when you’re both in town or whatever. When you find people that you can designate them into a different group than the rest of society, it’s somewhat magical, right?
Bilbo
Q: Hotdogs or hamburgers?
This is the toughest question of the presser. I’d say hamburgers, at the moment.
Q: Who's your favorite Wolfpack?
Bilbo, for sure. No questions about it.
Edit: To be honest, everyone in New England is great. A lot of nice people on the team that I didn't know before coming aboard. That was a great surprise, to be honest. Before the S31 draft, I had heard all the rumors about how New England was soft and weird, but once you get here, it's a pleasant team with friendly folks. It's been a pleasure to get to know the Wolfpack, and I consider many of you as good friends. We have a nice community, and I really intend to build on that. I'm not going to suggest adding someone, or let Eggy add someone (without a fight), that I think will be a bad fit or cause problems with the existing members.
Q: Aho or idk someone else?
Sebastian Aho is the greatest thing going for me this season. Sebastian Aho has shown signs of brilliance during his rookie season. Despite being overlooked by other rookies, Aho is going to be right up there with them going forward. His hockey IQ is pretty great, which is necessary for his smallish structure. With little guys like Aho, us Hurricanes fans worry about him having Skinner’s fate of being ragged dolled around and getting concussions.
Edit: Saturday night Aho had such a good game against New Jersey. He started the scoring off, putting the Hurricanes up 1-0. In the first goal, Lindholm connected with him by passing Aho the puck from behind the net. Then later when the game was already 3-1, Aho battled for the puck for a solid 10 secs or so before being able to snap off a shot and somehow get it pass Schneider. He had an amazing game, and I'm still being impressed with him almost every game. He's not scoring as much as some of the top rookies, but he's demonstrating that he's the real deal for Carolina.
Q: What does Kosonenenenenen do when Deets comes over their place?
Dominique and Kosonen like to sit in the yard, sipping around fires, telling bawdy tales of the road.
Kevin “Juice” Bieska
Q: Why do you sound irish to me?
Yeah, not sure about this one, and hopefully the Irish aren’t too offended.
GroupMeIsKindaOkay
Q: The question everybody is dying to know the answer to; will you be using your new found power and influence in the New England front office to make soon to be free agent Reed Laing a member of the Wolfpack????
I have been had discussions with GM Rainbow Dash about the matter. It seems like past histories of Reed Laing, and her agent, has turned off the rest of management and senior folks of the Wolfpack. Some would consider it a shame, but it’s the way she goes. I enjoyed our time on the Raiders, S30 was a very fun time for that team.
Thanks for the questions and the congratulations!
- Insayne - 03-20-2017
Are you excited for your first SHL entry draft from the "war room" of a GM rather then as a player?
Do you think your experience as a SMJHL GM will help you in the scouting/drafting process?
Congrats
- Jenny - 03-20-2017
How does it feel to be co-GM with a pony?
Can I please have more money?
What kind of vision do you have for NEW's future? What are the first steps to realizing that vision?
Do you think you'll be able to bring new life into the New England locker room?
- Eggy216 - 03-20-2017
How do you feel about the future of New England?
What are you most excited for about GMing in the SHL? Most worried about?
What do you think will be the biggest difference between SHL and SMJHL GMing?
Are you ever going to win a second round playoff series?
Can Jenny please have more money?
- NYRangers - 03-20-2017
Any goals for your first season as a SHL GM?
What are you most looking forward to as GM of New England?
What are your expectations for Kosonen in S34?
How was it working with Leetch as a GM?
- Winter is Coming - 03-20-2017
Congratulations on the promotion!
How do you plan on tampering with me during free agency?
Who is replacing your ass in Halifax?
Why did my turkey tonight taste dry?
- storm - 03-20-2017
Can you redistribute Eggy's wealth among the team?
- Possum Queen - 03-20-2017
Explain in 1000 words or more why you deserve this GM position more than me, an older and more experienced member.
- vbottas17 - 03-20-2017
You're awesome Toivo! I know you'll do a great job with the Wolfpack.
What is the most exciting part about moving up to a management role in the big leagues?
Who are you going to tamper with first?
You guys have some high draft picks, what is the first thing you will look for in the draft eligible prospects?
Describe Colin Banning in less than 3 words.
- MWHazard - 03-21-2017
No questions, just congratulations!
- WannabeFinn - 03-21-2017
When you gonna overthrow Eggy and change the image of the Wolfpack?
- OrbitingDeath - 03-21-2017
Will you draft me?
- tweedledunn - 03-21-2017
How many pizzas have you eaten this year?
- Eggy216 - 03-21-2017
Quote:Originally posted by Storm@Mar 20 2017, 09:46 PM
Can you redistribute Eggy's wealth among the team?
Git gud
- JKortesi81 - 03-21-2017
How will you defend the eventual accusations from <a href='index.php?showuser=1263' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-59'>kit</a> that you're too young and inexperienced to hold this position?
Congrats babe.