Now put your hands on the SHL rulebook. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Say I do!
Adam Answer : Do or do not, there is no try
SL : Here we go again! Yoda quotes! I’m glad you chose the do! 🙂

Please tell us your real first name and where do you live right now?
Adam Answer: Adam, in Middle Sackville, in the FHL hotbed of NS. (seriously though, I think at one point, over a quarter of the CDNHL was from NS).
SL : Which is really good thing so far in the interviews process! You guys have been great!
Adam Answer: East Coast baby!!

The Pride of Fall River,NS Rod would like to know if you are still in this league? You could also remind him at the same time who has Auston Matthews, named the stud.
Adam Answer: Still here and looking to get back to the finals for some revenge on Bernie. Seriously though, I bring Bernie in, then he beats me in the finals? I guess the circle is now complete… The student has become the teacher. Not a goddamn chance that kid steals Auston from me!
SL : You heard that Rod? No shame to lose against the loaded Bernie’s Sabres.

For those who are following, you made two big deals in the last 2 weeks in acquiring Suter, Brodie and Stamkos. How do you feel about it? Is it important to catch LA?
Adam Answer: Really happy with those deals. Helped to shore up a few places in my lineup I felt needed some improvements: LW and 2nd pair D. Plus, all three of those guys will be with me for at least next season. Stamkos has been having a monster year in the NHL as well. Looking forward to the Stammer-Auston-Marner connection next season!! Or, I could move Stamkos back to center, have arguably the best 1-2 punch in the league, and Verhaeghe fills in at LW1. Either way, my top 6 should be pretty lethal next season with Tarasenko having a career year and probably slotting in on my 2nd line. I’m hoping Vrana comes back to Detroit soon, so he’ll be available for me as well.
SL : Looking great!
Adam to continue: I don’t know if catching LA is in the cards, but possibly reeling in Dallas for the #2 seed would be fantastic. I’d like to avoid Johan’s squad for as long as possible in the playoffs. I was lucky to knock him out as the 8th seed 2 years ago, so I’m sure he’s looking for some payback.

Is Carter Verhaeghe your MVP so far this season? Did you know that he would be that good for you ?
Adam Answer : Verhaeghe’s been excellent, for sure, but it’s hard to call anyone but Matthews our MVP. He’s been on fire since the addition of Stammer, so I’m hoping he can catch Draisaitl for the Rocket.
SL : Would be a fun race to watch!

Adam to continue : Verhaeghe, I was very happy to add for this season, in my deal with Chris where I also acquired Marner and Kubalik (cost a pretty penny though). I don’t know though, that I expected quite the production he’s been putting up. I was somewhat worried his NHL production was going to be a one-off, but he’s pretty much right on pace with last season, so it looks like he’ll be a mainstay in our top 6 going forward.

Has anybody answered you already about your new signature on the Forum? AJ has new avatar! Scary!
Adam Answer: Nothing but crickets…
SL : Anyone could help poor Adam here?

Would you say that you are a bigger Star Wars fan than Blake and Rich?
Adam Answer: Definitely was a huge fan of the original trilogy and an lot of the expanded universe. Prequels were pretty good as well; I think they got a lot of flack that was unnecessary. Haven’t been as big a fan of the most recent movies. Although, Rogue One was pretty solid. I’ve been meaning to watch The Mandalorian, but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
SL : I believe they had succeeded with the Mandalorian. You will enjoy it!

When and how did you first find out about the SHL?
Adam Answer: Started over in the CDNHL, when then Habs GM (now 3 time champion and CDNHL HOFer), my cousin Steve brought me onboard. I was hooked instantly… A lot of CDNHL GMs were in both leagues, so I asked Chris to let me know if there was ever an opening over here. The Hawks came available, so I jumped onboard. Ended up in the GVFHL when Pete started that league up, and joined the DHL after that as well.
SL : You are busy man!

Who is your favorite NHL team?
Adam Answer: Leafs baby!!
SL : Is this the year, finally?

Who is your favorite player of all time?
Adam Answer: Pavel Bure, Wendel Clark, or Doug Gilmour. Got to meet Dougie at a charity tournament a few years back. I know have an autographed VHS copy of “The Passion Returns”. Possibly the only one in existence?‪https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xaAvNz0FbM‬
SL : I hope you do! They had all these characters: Fletcher and Burns and cie. I will always believe that Bob McKenzie jinxed the Leafs with saying that Gretzky was playing with a piano on his back! 🙂
Adam Answer: Yeah, I’ve heard Gretzky quoted as saying that game 7 was the best game he’d played as a professional.

Who is the person you would like to meet (dead or alive)? Feel free to explain!
Adam Answer: Kerry Fraser… Like fuck he didn’t see that high stick…
SL : And the hooking and grabbing all over the ice!

Question : If you could catch a GM asleep and steal one of his players, who would that be? Not that you really need anything right now!
Adam Answer: I can’t argue with the trade, as it netted me Marner and Verhaeghe, but I’d love to get Willy Nylander back from the commish. Or, maybe Cale Makar back from Bernie… I could use a 2nd pair dman.
SL : We should all do!

You get first overall to start a league, which player would you choose? And why?
Adam Answer: Matthews. He’s a beast and keeps getting better. The fact he’s also a Leaf has nothing to do with it…
SL : Reeeaaally!

What’s the best way to approach you about a trade request?
Adam Answer: I’m usually open to talk deals. So just let me know you’re interested, and what you’re trying to accomplish. If there’s a fit for my squad, we can generally make it work.

What annoys you when a GM approaches you ?
Adam Answer: When guys don’t accept that sometimes we value players differently. There are guys I value higher, or lower, and that means we likely won’t get a deal done, but don’t badmouth the guys you’re trying to acquire, it’s just annoying. Or an obvious lowball offer, I generally don’t even reply to those.
SL : It seems to be the general consensus around here!

I know the SHL rulebook is a near perfect work but if they was one rule that you would change or add, what would it be?
Adam Answer: Maybe some sort of salary retention, or I’ve always liked the CDNHL UFA system a lot. That said, it’s also nice being in leagues that have different nuances. Makes it an added bonus for being in multiple leagues.
SL: I agree 100%

If there was no stupid virus around, and you have an unlimited amount of cash, where would be the first destination you travel into? Could be space!
Adam Answer: I’ve been trying to get to Quebec City with my fiance for a couple years now, since she’s never been. We’ve had 2 trips cancelled now due to covid, so I’d like to make that happen. We’d also like to go to Italy, so we’re planning that as an option for our honeymoon. I’ve also always wanted go to Scotland, Ireland, or Romania… I fucking love castles.
SL : Even sand castles? I’m playing the travel agent here. Don’t just go to Quebec City! There are nice little cities on the North Shore like Baie St-Paul and little further north in Tadoussac for a cruise on the Saguenay river to see the steep cliffs and belugas if you are lucky. Been to Italy! Beautiful! My sister in law is Romanian. Never been but heard it’s beautiful there too!

What gets you these days! Sports event, TV Series, your cat, anything?
Adam Answer: Just finished the first season of Reacher. It was fantastic, and a much more faithful adaptation of the book, compared to the Tom Cruise movies. Working through Peacemaker and the Righteous Gemstones now, and eagerly awaiting Ted Lasso, season 3.
SL : I have to get into Ted Lasso! How about the Snowpiercer?
Adam Answer: Haven’t seen Snowpiercer, but I’ve heard good things. I’ll add it to the list.

Any questions, queries, comments or dark secrets you want to add before we leave?
Adam Answer: Love these interviews. Great way to get to know more about the guys and gals who share our obsession with fake hockey!
SL : Was my 1st objective when I started! Until Blake asked me to get all the inside informations he needed for I don’t know what! Hope he doesn’t do anything dangerous with it! About being fake, I went out with that girl name Sue! Between you and me, It didn’t bother me to know if they were fake or not. It was a perfect fit!

Thanks a lot for answering all my questions! Now! Who would you like to hear about next and what should be the first question?
Adam Answer: Nashville Steve – How does he seem to have a never ending supply of up and coming stud goalies in every league he’s in? Like, is his uncle a goalie scout or something?