Welcome to ON THE RECORD! I am your host Dave Hodge. Today, our guest is none other than Vancouver Voodoo GM, Darren Kinniard. Welcome! It's Kinnaird Riiight. Now, you have been very quiet this season, what have you been doing that keeps you out of the spotlight? Well Dave, I had decided I needed to get out of the spotlight for a while, that is why I flew to Europe, hung out there for a while, and did a lot of traveling. Saw some old friends, saw some sights, and did a little bit of scouting the Swedish Talent. Now I am back in Canada, living in Whistler, just taking it easy. I am still in constant contact with Brian Burke who is running the day to day operations of the team. I am quite busy up here, but I try to find as much time as I can for the team. Do you think that's fair to your team? The trade deadline came, and passed, and your team didn't do anything to improve? Are you not at all worried about another playoff flop? Actually we were quite involved at the deadline. We had been talking to the Saints about a big 8-player deal, but in the end I decided it was doing little more than shuffling the deck here. I think this team has improved over the team last year. A lot of guys have improved, and there are many new faces. Our record this year has not shown that we are a better team, but it is no secret that we are still the most feared team in the league. As for a playoff flop, the Roses got lucky and we had some bad goaltending. I think that problem has been more than solved with the play of Roberto. Speaking of Luongo, what will you do with Corey Hirsch now? He has only played in 4 games after being the solid #1 for you last year. Any plans to trade him? He isn't too happy these days... Corey understands his role on the team and that is to be ready to play when he is called upon. Early in the year both Roberto and Corey were injury plagued and that is why Kevin Weekes saw so much action. Corey is our number 2 goalie right now and that hasn't changed. Do you think Luongo will take home the 'Rookie of the year' award? I would certainly hope so. I mean, he should be a very strong Vezina candidate as well, so I think that he should win rookie of the year. There are other good rookies in the league this year, but I am not sure that any have put up the numbers Roberto has. You don't think Luongo has been hiding behind a talented team? There is no question there is talent in front of him, but he still has one of the highest save percentages in the league, not just a good GAA. There have been games when he has kept us in there big-time. Speaking of your talent...do you think it might be an advantage not to be the outright favorites? The Steelcats and Strangers seem to be the favorites now. Where do you fit in? This suits me fine. The Strangers have done nothing but run their mouths off from day 1. We have tried to stay away from that this year. And if the Steelcats are considered favorites, well I say bring em on, we have owned them this year. Well the Strangers have taken the league by storm. And certainly, you must be pissed that they came into your city, stole some of your fans, and won it all. The Strangers are obviously very close geographically, but it has not hurt us much. Our fans are still lining up and are very interested in the team. We have run other teams out of Vancouver, referring to the Drizzle, and we are not afraid of a team in Surrey. the Drizzle? Yeah they were a team in WHL 1 that did not last long. Oh, who could forget them? *ahem*. hehehe Now, OTR is interactive and we have an email question from "StrangersFan" who asks: Why is Mike Peca STILL the captain? He has done almost NOTHING this year, he is a young punk, and he can't hold a candle to Paul Kariya. Mike is one of the original members of the Voodoo. He has been here through it all. Mike is one of the best defensive players in the game, a fierce checker and an excellent young leader. He is the epitomy of what I call a hockey player. But do you think an older player should take the role? The Voodoo have yet to have some 'real' success. No!!! There are hardly many old players on the team anyway, and I feel Mike is perfect for the job. As for "real" success, again the Roses got lucky, and our goaltending was not very good. This team has been very successful in my opinion the last two years, and is poised to kick ass in the playoffs. Speaking of the playoffs...How do you think your team would be able to beat the Strangers? or the Vikings? The Vikings we have handled quite easily this year. Our goaltending is better, and our defense is better. Offensively we match up pretty well, but I do feel we have more guys that can put the puck in the net. As for the Strangers, we match up very well. I would say we are better in all aspects except for maybe the defense. I think we are very even there, although experience would have to be on their side. Ok, now you have a bit of a reputation around the league. You don't seem to be a 'popular' GM. How do you respond to this? is it true? I think the reputation comes from me being such a competitor. I have built what many call an unfair team. No team has the talent this one does, and is still so young. As for popularity, I could give a shit. Most GM's would kill to have this team, and it is not my fault that they did not go out and do the same thing I did. Steelcats GM Larry Bertteoti has accused you of overrating prospects and pushing up their market value...do you think you've had this affect? The rules were agreed upon by the entire BOD, of which Mr. Berteotti is a member. Whining will get him no where. Everyone has played by the same rules. I took a look at the situation the way it was and played my cards to the best of my ability, sue me, or quit crying about it. I have heard rumours that GM's want to have a dispersal draft or some sort of waiver draft. I think it is shit. The fans of this team went through some poor seasons before this team was built. It is not fair to them or the team. Hmmm...ok. Now, there are rumours that the Strangers may be moving out of Vancouver. What is your relationship with Kris Pongratz. Is there genuine hatred? or is this just normal rivalry kicking in? Kris and I have a great rivalry. I don't hate the man on the street but come game time we won't be sitting in the same luxury box, that is for certain. I know many of the players really do hate the Strangers and in many ways, it is healthy for the WHL. Rivalries are what make the league so cool. Why do they hate the Strangers? Natural rivalry. I know Shanny cannot stand some of the players on that team. Mike Peca would love to take a run at Messier when he has his head down. And it will happen. The funny thing is, many of these players play together in international tournaments. Hmm...Ok we have a phone call from Tony Duncehead of Oakland...hello Tony! "YO! DAVE! DIS IS TONY! YEAH I WANTS TO KNOW WHY KINNAIRD HERE DON'T GIVE CREDIT TO THE ROSES! WHY DOESN'T THIS HOMIE THINK THE ROSES DESERVED THEIR SERIES WIN!! YEAH!!" Your response? I have never said they did not deserve the victory. We did not play well and our goaltending let us down. Our offense was also nowhere near the level it was in the regular season. Maybe a lack of experience is to blame. How about overconfidence? I don't think so. Being overconfident would assume that would felt we were better than we actual were. I think we were as good as we felt we were, just ran into some bad luck. Now, Tom Renney's job doesn't seem to be secure. How long can he and Mike Keenan work together? Tom's job is very secure. He is a brilliant hockey mind. Him and Mike have gotten along very well, and I think will continue to do so. Ahh. Ok now, with the playoffs looming. Who, besides yourself, do you expect to be challenging for the cup. Any team you think will flop like you did last year? I think the Strangers are very strong contenders, the Corinthians have to get a nod as well. The Krushers, Sparrows, Vikings, and Steelcats, are all teams that could take a run at it though. If I had to pick 2 teams for the finals, I would say ourselves and the Corinthians. You think their trade deadline moves will push them over the Steelcats and Lunatics? I don't think the Steelcats are for real. I think they are very inexperienced, and live off of the fact that Martin Brodeur is overrated. Ok, now that you are back in Whistler, will you be more active with your team, or continue to kick back in Whistler while Burke's blood pressure goes over the top? I am always going to have a very hands-on approach with this team. I am still in charge of whoever is coming and who is going. I will be travelling with the team come playoff time, and will be very active with the players. Ok, last question, because you didn't answer earlier. What would you think if the Strangers franchise moved? I would simply say "Good Riddance." I am sure they are not moving too far. I have heard about moving to Jasper or something but I am sure they will still be in the same division. So the rivalry will still be alive. Well that wraps up another episode of OTR, we thank Darren Kinnaird for being our guest this week. Be sure to stay tuned to TSN! for Monday Night Raw! --------------------------------------