Danbury Whalers 3.0 with Head Coach Phil Esposito
Published on October 8, 2012 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Danbury Whalers News Release
Phil - Simply put the City of Danbury loves their Whalers. How tough was it for you to watch New Jersey skate around with the Commissioner's Cup in the Danbury Arena last season?
Espo - It was tough at first. Our fans are the best in the league and have always been there to support us. But even after the loss they were right behind us and, if anything, we got more motivated by what happened. Thinking about what it feels like to lose will make the feeling of winning be even better.
Phil - What steps have you put in place during the off season to insure the opposite will happen this year?
Espo - Last season we had a good group of players and we thought we had the tools to go all the way. However every team has places that it can be tweaked and changed to become even better. We believe that when our roster is complete that we will have tweaked enough to make this team better for the long course of the season.
Phil - Entering season three the Whalers have been and still are the most financially successful FHL team. Is there a secret you'd like to share with the other teams in your league and with minor league hockey in general on how such an achievement is accomplished?
Espo - It really is no secret when you look at our attendance and the community support we have received in Danbury. There has been hockey in this town before and everyone knows what kinds of things a pro hockey team can do for the city and people want to be a part of it whether it is buying season tickets or a sponsorship. We have a lot of hard working people behind the scenes to make this a success and it just takes a lot of time, hard work, and a little bit of luck.
Phil - Nobody came close to the Whalers in the FHL last season in advancing players to higher level leagues and yet you still made it to the finals. Since the FHL is a developmental league its teams can lose their top players very quickly and at a time when you are gearing up for your playoff run. As a coach what are your thoughts on possibly losing top talent and does this worry you?
Espo - While call ups can make it difficult to come up with a lineup game in and game out we are always very proud of our guys who get called up. The FHL is a developmental league first and foremost and every time my phone rings with a coach from a higher league looking for a player we are always ready to tell the player and let them go. It is impressive that in just two quick years this league is being looked at as a legitimate development place and that is evident with all of the affiliations throughout the league.
Phil - Tell me about your ownership group of Alan Freidman and Herm Sorcher. They bleed Whalers green don't they?
Espo - Alan and Herm certainly have a vision for this team and everyday they work to make it happen. They want this organization to be strong in every facet possible and they have provided a framework that everyone in the league can learn from on how to make a successful organization.
Phil - How will the loss of the Whalers/Brooklyn Aviators rivalry affect both the Whalers and the FHL?
Espo - The rivalry that existed with Brooklyn was a good one. It goes back to the EPHL when the Aviators and the Mad Hatters would play. These were games that were not difficult to motivate everyone for. We had an unbelievable playoff series against them that was probably the most exciting series of the year. Other teams in the league have given us small rivalries but the intensity between Brooklyn and Danbury was always a strong one.
Phil - When you head out to Williamsport the Whalers will be playing outdoors. Your thoughts on coaching under the stars and is there any difference between playing indoors and outdoors?
Espo - I think the first time we are there it will be fun for a little while but really these are just games in our season. When NHL teams play in the Winter Classic it is fun but is a game where points are up for grabs in the standings. Obviously the elements will play a role but those can't be used as an excuse for what happens. It will be an adjustment but almost anyone that has played hockey has played outdoors at some point so we will be ready.
Phil - Some people say there is too much fighting in pro hockey and when you were a player you never hesitated in dropping the gloves with your opponents toughest players, so is there too much fighting in the game today?
Espo - I think you can figure out my answer to that question by looking at my career. But fighting is a necessary part of the game. You see all of these problems with guys in the NHL getting hit from behind and what not. Part of the reason is because there is no real deterrent on the ice. When guys like Probert and Kocur were around you didn't do things like that because you knew there would be consequences. Fighting always has and always will have a place in the sport. Is there too much? I would say no.
Phil - Pick two dark horses from your current roster who you think will surprise everyone and blow the roof off the Danbury Arena this season?
Espo - The roster is still coming together but we are hoping some of our younger guys like Carlo Ricci take a big step forward. He learned a lot as a rookie last season and we think this season will be the year he will start showing some of the talent he has. Also, Kamil Vavra will be making his FHL debut this year and we think he can be a physical force as well as an offensive threat. I think Danbury is going to love him.
Phil- You've been to the dance and came away empty handed last season, is there any way short of winning the Commissioner's Cup the Whalers could consider season three a success?
Espo - As an organization, making it to a third season is big for us considering no professional team in Danbury has made it to a third go around. Hockey wise though you always want to improve on the year before and for us to do that means winning going all the way and, like last season that will be the only thing we consider the season a success.
Phil - Short of making an outright Joe Namath declaration your prediction for how season three will finish is?
Espo - I think it is going to be the best season for the FHL thus far ending with a parade in Danbury, CT
Phil - Thanks for your time and hard work you do for the Whalers and FHL
Espo - My pleasure and hope to see you at our parade in March.
Next up: Williamsport Outlaws (10-15-12)
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2012
- Trevisani Signs on with Privateers - Watertown Privateers
- Devils PA Announcer Kevin Clark to Join Whalers for a Game - Danbury Whalers
- Danbury Whalers 3.0 with Head Coach Phil Esposito - Danbury Whalers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
