One-On-One with Rob Miller

Published on October 5, 2011 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Brooklyn Aviators News Release


John Landers - senior writer for the "The Fischler Report" - sits down with Aviators Head Coach Rob Miller

John Landers: "Rob last year your New York Aviators took everyone by storm midway through the first FHL season and in doing so put together a 21 game winning streak. How did that streak come about and what was the mood in the locker room as this was unfolding -

Rob Miller: "Basically it came about after playing 1000 Islands up at Bonnie Castle right after Christmas. We played well, in fact very well up there, and after that we came home, to play Danbury on New Year's Eve. We came back into our locker room and somebody said 'We're not falling below .500 again'. Don't know who it was but whoever it was it sort of lit a spark and we went on a roll after that. The mood in any locker room including ours when you're winning is really upbeat. For our guys the mood was very special. All over the rink, the gym and the stands you could feel it. We felt we could not lose. Even the guys who were not playing a whole lot were excited about what was going on."

JL: "I read somewhere you told your guys "...we need to make a run for at least second place. Is this also when it started to come together -

RM: "The week of that New Year's Eve Danbury game, I told my guys "We need to not be complacent and hang out in the middle of the pack and we need to make a jump towards the top and if we do that and have the mindset to do that we are going to be very successful." It turned out to work in our favor.

JL:"Your former goalie and last season's league MVP Kevin Druce, along with what many feel was a huge part of your run last season, Matt Puntureri, won't be returning this season. Druce opted to return to Canada to pursue a career in law enforcement and Puntureri was traded to the expansion New Jersey Outlaws. Why did you feel parting with Puntureri was necessary''

RM: "Well it was a monetary thing. Punts is a good guy, a great player and certainly was a fan favorite and does what it takes which I always liked about him, but this next season we are heading into will be a very serious situation on the ice. We just decided to head in a different direction. I have since spoken to Punts and we both understand why things were done the way they were and we still have great respect for each other. He will fit in very nicely in New Jersey."

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Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from October 5, 2011


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