...
Emily Harlan: Inside
the Gulls' latest moves
to strengthen the team
for a run at the playoffs.
Andy Zilch:
Meet the new Gull,
center Kyle Criscuolo.
Kyle Criscuolo: When I found
out I where I was coming and the
organization I was traded to,
I was obviously very excited.
Emily: And get to know
the American Hockey League's
February rookie of the month.
Max Comtois: I don't remember
who came and said,
"We just drafted your buddy."
So, I was like I was doing
interviews,
I stopped everything,
and I just wait for Moe,
and it was unbelievable.
Andy: That and plenty more
on the latest edition of,
"Gulls All-Access."
male announcer: For Carrick,
wraparound, scores.
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
Shoots, scores.
The sellout crowd comes alive.
Emily: Hello everyone,
thanks for joining us,
I'm Emily Harlan.
Andy: And I'm Andy Zilch.
Since we joined you, the
Gulls have a retooled roster.
The Anaheim Ducks made seven
transactions leading up
to the trade deadline.
Those deals greatly impacted
the San Diego Gulls roster.
Emily: We'll introduce you to
the new Gulls in a few minutes.
But first, general manager
Bob Ferguson explains how
the trade deadline moves are
expected to improve the club.
Andy: How did you and
Bob Murray foresee this team
coming to fruition?
What were the first things
that you wanted to generate
to create a team?
Bob Ferguson: Well, it goes back
to like a year ago.
Last year in our organization
was kind of the year
our whole organization
had been waiting for,
when we knew this really
good group of young players,
the Troy Terrys, the Sam Steels,
Josh Mahuras would all be coming
to us at the same time.
And it obviously paid off.
I know a lot of them had
a big contribution
in Anaheim last season.
But with us, and they came
back at the end of the year,
they were such a key part.
But we also knew going into this
year that they weren't going
to be around, they were going
to get their get opportunity
in Anaheim.
So, we had a lot of holes
to fill when you put
the team together.
So, I think that the plan going
into this season was to put
together a team that was--had
had success in this league
before, had been on winning
teams in this league before,
and then we could fill in
the holes with some of
the young players that we knew
that were on contract or
that were coming back, that were
still on their entry level.
And that was kind of
the game plan going in.
Based on training camp, a few--
was a surprises that ended
up staying up top, and a few
surprises that ended up coming
down here to start the year,
so it was a little bit of an
adjustment period at
the start of the year.
But here we are in
the second half,
and things just starting to
plan out and go as we originally
planned way back in September.
Andy: Leading up
to the deadline,
what were the conversations
like between you and Bob Murray,
and how it affected us
here in San Diego?
Bob: So much of it happens
at our level,
and we have to understand
we're here to develop players.
The goal of any organization
is to win a Stanley Cup,
and that's what our
plan is down here.
We got to make sure our players
are ready to go up not only
to play in the NHL,
but to win in the NHL.
And with some injuries and some
things up top this year that
have happened, and a couple
of trades they made prior
to the deadline, has given
players who were originally
supposed to be with us or play
most of the year with us
a good opportunity up there.
Andy: With that being said,
how important is the core that
we have here and the guys that
have carried over from years
past that continue to preach the
winning process and how to win
for some of those younger guys?
Bob: Well, I think
it's very important.
In this level, you're only
allowed to have
the five veterans in your
lineup on a given night.
But those, they've got
to be five key veterans.
And where we're
located like San Diego,
who wouldn't want to play here?
And you've got to be really
careful when you look
and identifying who your
veterans are going to be,
that you don't bring in veterans
that are looking to maybe
get their handicap
down a little bit,
or work on their surfing
skills or their suntan.
You got to make sure you got
veterans that are good leaders,
good citizens, good
people off the ice,
ones that the younger players
can learn how to be a pro from.
And I think we got a good--with
Sam Carrick since he's our
captain, he's been
with us a few years now,
he understands the culture, he
understands what his role is,
he understands what it
takes to win on the ice,
and which else you have to do
off the ice in order to be a
winner and to be a good pro.
And it's so important
with players like that,
Sam Carrick, Jani Hakanpaa,
another one who's just really
established themselves as good,
solid players in this league,
and good leaders for our
younger players look up to.
Andy: How important is
another playoff run
for this group, and more
specifically the prospects?
Bob: Well, I think
it's important,
and any playoff
run is important.
And it goes back to, again,
I think what
our philosophy is here.
We're not trying to make players
good enough to play in the NHL,
we're trying to make them
good enough to win in the NHL.
And the best thing that breeds
winning is playoff type hockey.
But we're gonna play a lot of
tight games down here down
the stretch.
And the one thing our players
have to understand is that good
defense creates offense, and the
players are buying into that,
and it's starting
to prove itself.
Andy: So, now you know why
the organization has acquired
the players they have and
added them to the Gulls roster.
Emily: We caught up
with one of the new guys,
Kyle Criscuolo,
following a recent practice.
Andy: What was your reaction
to the trade,
and how did you
first hear about?
I'm sure with social media,
was that how you found out?
Kyle Criscuolo: Yeah, actually,
I was out grabbing lunch.
And my dad called me and said,
"Hey, have you heard any news?"
And I said no, I wasn't
sure what he's talking about.
He said, "I think I just heard
your name on NHL Network."
And my agent called right away
while I was on the phone
with my dad, and I found out
pretty quickly then.
And you know, when I found
out where I was coming and the
organization I was traded to,
I was obviously very excited.
Never spent much time out west,
but I've heard great things,
and I'm really excited
to be here with the team.
Andy: You joined the team
right before a road trip,
and you go on a four,
five day road trip,
and you come here for a day off.
What was the first thing you did
in San Diego on your day off?
Kyle: That's a good question.
So, we got in late that
night at seven o'clock.
Just went to the hotel
and kind of shut it down.
It was actually, you know,
obviously a whirlwind
of a couple days.
But the next day, I just--
I went down Pacific Beach,
I heard some of the guys
live that area, and just went
to the beach and sort of just
walked around a little bit.
It was actually a little cloudy,
so the guys were saying
I brought the bad weather.
But you know, just getting
to the beach and feeling
that easy way of living,
it was definitely a nice relief
after a whirlwind couple days.
Andy: So, being a Jersey guy
and playing in the cities that
you've played in, how crazy is
it to say that sentence
that you were on a beach
in February?
Kyle: It's amazing, I love it.
I love spending time
on the beach, as is my wife,
so we're super excited
to get here.
And I enjoy the weather.
It's been--it's been a mild
winter out east,
but it's obviously nothing like
70 and sunny like it is here.
Andy: What has been the
greatest accomplishment
in your career?
Like you've been in professional
hockey for several years,
but is it something
that's happened in that span,
or was it even before that?
Kyle: I'd say that the most
memorable for me right now
is the Calder Cup.
I won the Calder Cup
my rookie year.
And you know,
going into the season,
I didn't know what to expect.
In college, we're playing
40 games a year.
And you know, I played 76 games,
and then another 19 playoff
games, and you realize how much
of a mental grind it really is.
And the team we had
was really special,
and I look fondly
on those memories,
and try to bring things from
that team to every team
that I go to.
So, something we want
to here and the guys,
you know, are obviously
committed to that goal,
so I'm excited to be on a team
that's in the mix and hopefully
can have a long playoff run.
Andy: What do you know
about the organization?
Do you go online, do you
google about the Ducks?
Like how do you go
about that process?
Kyle: I'd spoken to the Ducks
quite some time ago
when I was still in school.
And back then, I sort of did a
little bit of research then.
And I mean, word of mouth,
you hear a lot about the teams
out here just from guys around
the league that have been here.
And obviously San Diego was--is
one of the places you would tell
each other you want to play if
you had the choice obviously
in terms of living.
And so, when I found out,
I did look at the roster,
I know Kevin Boyle
and Stolarz and Guhle,
who had been traded
here the year before,
same situation, who I had spoken
to quite a bit.
So, got my information
from the guys.
And like I said, when you find
out you're coming to Anaheim,
San Diego, it's definitely
a pleasant surprise.
Andy: So, you're kind of in
the middle of a seven game road
trip, the longest that
we've had as a team.
We're not going to be able to
see you on home ice for a while,
so can you describe what type
of player you are for fans
that haven't seen you live?
Kyle: Yeah, I'm a speedy,
two-way forward.
I like to get to
the gritty areas,
but obviously I'm not
the biggest guy,
so I use my quickness and speed
to create chances offensively.
And you know, I pride
myself on winning battles.
And you know, I was taking
a lot of face-offs in Lehigh,
so it's something I can bring
here as well,
and do the little things, and
just compete every single night.
Andy: Coming up, February's
AHL rookie of the month.
announcer: End of the line,
Wideman snaps it off, rebound.
Comtois scores, 1-0,
and the Gulls
streak continues to five
straight games.
Emily: Max Comtois shares
his story as
"Gulls All-Access" continues.
Emily: Welcome back.
Here's a look at one of the most
unique mini bobbleheads
you'll ever see.
Gulls fans can add one to
their collection March 21
when Stockton comes to town
and the team hosts
Marvel Superhero Night,
presented by San Diego's
Honda dealers.
Face-off at Pechanga Arena
San Diego will be at 7 p.m.
Andy: Well, the Gulls were
good neighbors recently when the
San Diego Seals indoor lacrosse
team had to relocate a game
that was scheduled to be played
on a runway
at the Marine Corp Air
Station Miramar.
Emily: What that meant was
some quick work to take up the
Seals turf in order to get the
ice ready for play that evening.
The ice was ready on time
for face-off as the Gulls
hosted Country Night.
The night kicked off with
a country themed tailgate
that featured a live band,
food trucks, a mechanical bull,
and of course some good
old fashioned line dancing.
♪♪♪
Andy: Following the tailgate,
fans made their way
to the gates, where everyone
in attendance received
a Gulls cowboy hat.
Emily: On the ice, the Gulls
and San Jose battled in
a barnburner, with the Gulls
coming out on top six to three.
announcer: End of the line,
Wideman snaps it off, rebound.
Comtois scores, 1-0,
and the Gulls streak
continues to five
straight games.
Right side to Lundestrom,
scores.
Listen to America's finest
fans as Lundestrom able to--
number five.
Gulls away from him,
Carrick shoots and scores,
4.7 left, 5-2 the score.
Max: It's the first time
that we're in the playoff spot,
so we were really excited
about that before the game.
And you know, we come here,
we come to the rink,
we know we have an opportunity
to put up some point,
and we just do the job.
female: And the barn
was rocking tonight.
How much fun is it to play in
front of America's finest fans?
Max: Typical Pechanga fan,
thanks guys.
Andy: Congratulations
are in order for Max Comtois,
who was named the CCM AHL Rookie
of the Month
for the month of February.
Emily: He earned the honor
by tying for the league lead
in goals with eight.
And most important, four
of those were game winners.
Andy: Comtois scored a goal
in five consecutive games,
registering a Gulls
rookie record.
Let's take a closer look at
the 21 year old left winger.
announcer:
--got to it, and springs.
Max Comtois with a shot
and a goal.
The first game in the
National Hockey League
and the first goal
for Max Comtois.
Anaheim off and running.
announcer: To the line,
blaze it to Broadhurst,
to Comtois, scores, 3-1.
Sent to the line,
Wideman snaps it off, rebound.
Comtois scores, 1-0, and
the Gulls streak continues
to five straight games.
Andy: When did you kind of
realize that you were making
progress to actually make a
career out of playing hockey
as a professional?
Max: I think it didn't
start earlier than Midget AAA,
that's probably the click in my
head that maybe I was going to,
you know, make a career
out of this.
I wasn't really--you know,
my work ethic wasn't
really good when I was younger,
it was part of the problem.
And then when I came
to Midget AAA,
I just turned into
a work ethic guy.
And yeah, I think that's
the starting point of I knew
I was going to maybe make
a career out of this.
Andy: After two seasons
in Victoriaville,
you were drafted by the Ducks.
What was the feeling like,
and what do you remember
about waking up and then
being there for drafting,
and then receiving
the jersey of Anaheim?
Max: It was awesome.
Obviously, I was a little bit
disappointed not to go
in the first round.
I sat the whole first round
in the stand.
It was a little step back,
but when I heard my name
the next day,
it was unbelievable.
And you know, being with Moe
also that we shared
the same draft, we shared
that day together,
and a lot great memories with
our families is unbelievable.
And I'm happy I--you know,
I'm here and I got
a chance to play here.
Max: I'm excited.
But I'm more excited that
my best friend just called
by Anaheim, it's awesome.
We're going to have the
chance to be together again.
Max: When I heard that
Anaheim was on the clock
and I just heard a lot
of people screaming,
and I was like, "Oh, maybe
that's Moe."
And then one--I don't
remember who came and said,
"We just drafted your buddy."
So, I was like--I was doing
interviews,
I stopped everything,
and I just wait for Moe,
and it was unbelievable to wait
for him and to saw him
in that jersey too.
So, it was a great for us
and a great day for family.
Antoine Morand: So, I'm here
with Ducks draft Maxime Comtois.
Max, how does it feel to get
drafted by the Anaheim Ducks?
Max: I don't know,
you tell me.
You're same team, it's awesome.
Just it's a team that I look up
to with Getzlaf
and Perry and Kesler.
Those guys are really good
hockey players.
I'm so excited to get
things started,
and so excited to be
with you too.
Andy: So, we kind of fast
forward to coming back
to San Diego for the postseason
run, and you're in Bakersfield.
I'm sure that you weren't ready
for a quadruple overtime game,
but you had it, you scored
the game winner.
What are some memories from
that day and then that game?
And I'm sure your legs were
really to fall off you, right?
Max: Yeah, it wasn't easy,
especially I didn't know
I was gonna play the day before.
Dallas told me, I think was it
Thursday practice,
so it was--I didn't know.
But you know, it was
a weird game.
It was the longest game
I've ever played in my life.
And, no, we just found
a way to win.
And you know, I just--I had a
great play by Kev to give me
a pocket, give me a chance
to put it in, and I just--
I just did it, and we won,
and it was--
it was a great feeling.
announcer: Turned away.
Another chance, Comtois scores,
his second of the night,
4-0 San Diego, his seventh
of this season.
Andy: You were named
rookie of the month.
What has been a recipe
for success for you over
this past month compared to the
beginning part of the season?
Max: I'd say just having fun.
You know, even obviously it was
being--I was being really hard
on myself to start the season.
And I don't think I've played
my game the best I can.
And you know, and when I--
I think it changed in Iowa,
just trying to change
some stuff.
And it worked, and you know,
something right now,
we're doing pretty good.
And obviously being with Brody
and Delio really I think
really helped my game.
And we're just going
out there having fun,
and I'm just trying
to make a difference,
and it's working right now.
Emily: Andy, as Comtois
heated up, so did the Gulls.
They were 9-2-2 in February.
What have been the keys
to the team's success?
Andy: Well, I think it's been
strong defensive work,
and that's something that the
team has preached all season
long is being a team that can
work from their own zone upwards
throughout the offensive zone.
And the team has been
really strong.
And there was something
that clicked in the month
of February, I think it maybe
was consecutive games,
but also just that competition
that was created amongst
the teammates themselves.
They challenged one another,
the coaching staff
challenged them limit the shots,
limit the scoring chances,
and it certainly paved the way
for a lot of good victories
for this club.
Emily: Earlier, we heard
about the trade deadline
acquisitions of Criscuolo
and Persson.
What can we expect
from each of them?
Andy: Well, we'll talk
about Criscuolo first.
He's a good, strong defensive
offenseman,
which sometimes you might think,
"Well, what does that
even mean?"
That means that he's really good
in his own zone.
He's a responsible player
who goes back down
to his own goal line.
He's going to help out
the defense, make sure
that that puck's getting out
and it's out of harm's way.
Same thing could be said
for Persson.
Obviously, he's a defenseman,
but he's actually got a little
bit of an offensive side to him.
He jumped in, played in the
second power play unit
right away.
Good puck mover as well,
so as soon as the Gulls
are looking northbound,
he's the guy who's going
to lead that charge for them.
Emily: And what are the
near-term hurdles the Gulls face
as they battle
for a playoff spot?
Andy: Well, I think the fate is
in their own hands.
This team's not playing
outside the division anymore.
They're going to have
three games against Colorado,
two games against Tucson,
and then another three games
against Ontario.
So, you got your bread
and butter right there,
the teams that you're trying to
chase are right in front of you.
The Gulls hold
their own destiny,
and it's going to be exciting
from this way on forward.
Emily: Thanks, Andy.
Coming up, some youth hockey
players in La Jolla had a chance
to meet Andrew Poturalski
and Kiefer Sherwood.
Kiefer Sherwood:
What's up, buddy?
You're welcome.
Andy: That plus a look ahead
as "Gulls All-Access" continues.
Kiefer: Oh, you
want a puck too?
Andy: Gulls fans, things
are pretty tight in the Pacific
division as the AHL playoff
race comes down to the wire.
Emily: So, you don't want
to miss our next telecast,
which pits the Gulls
against division foe Ontario.
If you don't want to make
the drive up to Ontario,
we'll bring the game to you.
That's this Sunday at 3 o'clock
right here on Fox 5 San Diego.
Andy: Among the
many transactions,
recently recalled to the Anaheim
Ducks was Anthony Stolarz,
Jani Hakanpaa,
and Kiefer Sherwood.
Emily: Before he went
to Anaheim,
Sherwood joined Andrew
Poturalski at the rink
at University Town Center to
meet some youth hockey players.
♪♪♪
Kiefer: There you go, bud.
Nice to meet you, I'm Kiefer.
There you go,
always practice, good?
There you go, have fun.
Ooh, nice pink tape.
You want a puck?
What's up, buddy?
You're welcome.
Nice, there you go.
Oh, you want a puck too, yeah?
You should've brought it.
You're gonna bring it to me?
male: I'll bring it to you.
I'll bring it with--
Kiefer: Oh, he told you that?
Nice.
That one kid said, "I see
Hunter Drew all the time.
And when I saw him, he said
he's the best looking guy
on the team."
♪♪♪
Hey, Eva.
There you go.
Yep, have a good one.
Make sure you always have fun.
Emily: It's incredible how
many kids were out there
for practice, yet another sign
of the strength of youth hockey
in San Diego.
And the Gulls will continue
to do their part to support
those programs.
Andy: We're just about out of
time for this episode of,
"Gulls All-Access," but you can
join us right here
on Fox 5 San Diego Thursday
at 3:30 for the next episode.
We'll have the latest from the
team's seven-game road trip,
and we'll keep you up to date
on the race
of the Calder Cup playoffs.
Emily: Meantime, you can
catch all the Gulls scores,
news, highlights, and photos
at sandiegogulls.com,
or on Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram.
Andy: That'll do it
for this show.
For Emily Harlan,
I'm Andy Zilch.
Thanks for watching
"Gulls All-Access."
♪♪♪
