DS: Ryan Rewerts has started your last four games and has done a tremendous job. It is a real 1A, 1B situation right now. Will you be going with the goalie with the hot hand down the stretch? Are you looking for someone to run away with the job?
KH: We love the competition that exists with the duo of Taryn and Ryan. We value communication with our goaltenders and each of them are prepared for their next start regardless of when that happens. It's exciting to watch both of these guys compete in practice for that starting role in the next game.
DS: Last week you said that Melville will test your ability to achieve your weekly goals. From your point of view, in a 4-1 victory, did the North Stars achieve everything they set out to do Friday night?
KH: Melville was a difficult team to play against, they competed hard and played with a lot of determination. With our goals in mind, our team definitely took steps in the right direction. We evaluated things we know we can improve and we also saw things we improved on from practice's leading up to that game.
DS: Jordan Wiest has been one of those guys that can be relied on heavily when it comes to working in the defensive zone. Sacrificing his body on the penalty kill and can be trusted against top lines. This week, it looked like he was almost unveiling his offensive side, not being afraid to wind up and take that big slap shot of his on numerous occasions. Is this something that you and the staff have been working on with him? Or is it something that has always been a part of his game?
KH: We believe all players want to contribute offensively. It's one of the exciting parts of the game. This season we have encouraged all players to play with an offensive mind-set and Jordan is a player that has worked on this daily. His work is paying off and we are seeing offensive production in his game. We love his enthusiasm when he scores. We also love the enthusiasm Jordan brings when his teammates score. His positive and fun attitude is a big part of our success this season. His leadership qualities are one of his greatest assets.
DS: Rory Davidson has been a force on the ice since donning the black and white jersey. He finally got his first goal, throwing one into the empty net, is this a sign of more things to come? Against Estevan, I thought you did a great job of matching his line up with the Darcy DeRoose line, it seemed as though they were on the ice together virtually all game. Were you pleased with the way they tried to shut him down? Or was his four points a case of him being an elite scorer?
KH: There is no doubt DeRoose is an elite scorer in this league. The task of keeping him off the score sheet is not a small one, as was the case in that game. Davidson, Nachtegaele, and Kanter will be a line we challenge to compete against opponents’ top lines. We will maximize our opportunity to teach and improve from games like the Estevan one, where the top players of the opponent were able to contribute like they did. Rory's strengths are his speed and tenacity which make him a player that is extremely difficult to play against. His play is inspirational and what he does on the ice gives other players in our dressing room the courage to play the game the same way.
DS: In one of the most exciting games to date, a tie game going into the third period while you and the Bruins exchanged blows, what message did you try to get across in the locker room during intermission?
KH: We needed to manage the game better. We believed we gave the puck away too often from the Estevan pressure. The Bruins did a great job of taking time and space away from our players and baiting us into playing the game in their favor. We can't allow the distractions of the game to take away from the way we want to play it.
DS: It seemed as though the physicality of the North Stars game wavered at parts against Estevan. Is this something that you will address in practice? Especially going up against a team like La Ronge, where last time it was a case of both teams throwing their bodies around.
KH: Now that teams have had the chance to play each other on numerous nights, coaches make adjustments based on the opponent. Sometimes when your focus and awareness isn't where it needs to be, skilled players become mesmerizing and you start to watch the puck. DeRoose was able to do this to us and his skill was on full display. He had a great game for the Bruins.
DS: Coby Downs and Igor Leonenko both had big games against the Bruins. Downs seems as though he is playing with a ton of confidence and his vision on the ice has been superb, constantly finding the open man. Leonenko hit the milestone with his 30th goal, a beautiful shot post and in. How important is it for these two, along with Jake McMillen, to stay hot down the stretch?
KH: We need all of our lines to contribute with the strengths in mind that make them successful. It is very evident that Downs, Leonenko, McMillen, Young, Gorgi, and Delainey need to contribute offensively for our team to be successful. Coming down the stretch, when games are tighter and space is limited, we need contributions from everyone. Regardless of who scores, we want to play the game a certain way where the success is determined by the effort of the entire team. When we win, the team played well, with that in mind, you should see Leonenko, Downs, and McMillen on the scoresheet.
DS: Since coming back from injury, you can see Reed Delainey shake off the rust game by game. I thought he played tremendously well against the Bruins, using his speed, stopping up on a 3 on 2 to find Leonenko for his goal. Are you happy with the way he has come back?
KH: We are excited about Reed's progress. Dels is a player you can push and he will respond. For our team to be successful, Reed's game will have to be going. When Reed is playing his best, he is the fastest player in this league, he is winning face-offs, and he is bringing fans out of their seats. He has earned everything in his young career, and he will continue to do that moving forward into the playoffs.
DS: Kris Joyce is one of the bigger workhorses in the league. His 31 games played is tied for most for any goaltender in the SJHL. It was tough to get the puck past him the last time your team clashed. What is the game plan against him?
KH: Traffic.......more traffic.........and did I forget to mention more traffic. La Ronge plays a very structured and physical game. It will be a challenge for us to get traffic and shots to Joyce, however our team loves that challenge. It only took one goal to beat LaRonge in Pinehouse. I'm betting it will be a very similar game again. Joyce has earned respect in the SJHL.
DS: The trade deadline has now passed. Is the fact that you didn't make any moves more of a reminder to your players that you own the best team in the SJHL? Sometimes, not making a trade is the smartest move a GM can make.
KH: We believe we are earning the right to say we are the best team in the SJHL. It is something 11 other teams are striving for and something only one team can claim. At this point in time, the defending champions are the Melfort Mustangs. Until they are eliminated from the playoffs, they have earned the right to be named the best team in the League. Time will tell if not making any moves was the right move. Our roster is set, these are the North Stars. This is the group we are confident can earn the right to say we are the best team.
