SHL Quote of the Week (Week 8)

“So the fiercest rivalry in this league is between a pair of mascots and one of our coaches likes cosplay. God, what a strange place this is.”

Hamilton Pistols coach Ron Wright

SHL Player of the Week – Week 8

The SHL selected Hamilton Pistols LW Steven Alexander as its Player of the Week. Alexander recorded 11 points for the week – including 10 goals – allowing him to maintain the league lead in goals (with 52) and retake the league lead in points (with 64, passing New York’s Brock Manning). He is the only player in the league averaging more than a goal per game.

The Pistols are in last place in the East despite having three of the league leaders in points (Alexander, C Rod Remington, and RW Claude Lafayette, who form Hamilton’s top line). “With the top notch first line that we’ve got, I don’t see how we won’t be a champion eventually,” said Pistols D Raymond Smyth. “The rest of us have got to work on playing up to the example they set.”

2015 SHL Week 8 Standings

East	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
Washington Galaxy	26	19	3	55	176	145
New York Night	23	23	2	48	198	197
Hershey Bliss	19	27	2	40	142	171
Hamilton Pistols	17	28	3	37	162	191

West	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
Anchorage Igloos	33	11	4	70	160	107
Michigan Gray Wolves	30	15	3	63	124	87
Dakota Rapids	24	22	2	50	180	182
Saskatchewan Shockers	10	37	1	21	115	178

Interview of the Week: Hylton Windham

Our interview of the week is with Hamilton Pistols D Hylton Windham.

SHL Digest: This week, we’re interviewing Hylton Windham of the Hamilton Pistols. Hylton, it’s a pleasure to talk with you.

Hylton Windham: Thanks, I appreciate it.

SHLD: You’re the first professional hockey player to come from the Bahamas. How does it feel to be a pioneer?

HW: Honestly, I don’t really think of myself that way. I think of myself as just a player. I am proud of my background, but I don’t feel that I am truly a pioneer. I am just a bit unique.

SHLD: How did you become interested in hockey?

HW: The first time I saw a game, I was 8 years old. My family was on holiday in Toronto, and we watched a game on TV in our hotel room. I was enchanted; the ice looked magical to me.

SHLD: I don’t imagine it was easy to find an ice rink to practice on, though.

HW: Absolutely! The only ice we had at home was in our drinks. But I had an aunt and uncle who lived in Canada, and my parents sent me to live with them during vacations so I could try it. Then it turned out I was pretty good, so at age 10 I went to live with them full-time.

SHLD: When did you start thinking you might be able to play professionally?

HW: I found about about a player named Graeme Townshend, who was born in Jamaica and made it to the NHL. When I saw that a guy like me was in the NHL, I thought, “Hey, maybe I could do that too.” And now I have!

SHLD: You’re a reserve on a team that has been struggling. Has that been frustrating for you?

HW: Well, of course we’d all rather be winning. But honestly, I am just happy to play. And I am very grateful to play for a great coach like Mr. [Ron] Wright. He knows so many things about the game, and he is a wonderful teacher.

SHLD: What are your goals for your career?

HW: Of course, I hope to become a starter and to win a championship someday. But most of all, I hope some young children in the Caribbean will see me play and want to become hockey players as well.

SHLD: Do you think you might be able to make the Bahamas into a hockey country?

HW: I hope so. Again, I look to Graeme Townshend. He is trying to get a Jamaican hockey team to the Olympics. Perhaps someday I will coach the first Bahamian Olympic hockey team.

SHLD: Sounds like a wonderful thing to strive for! Best wishes with that. And good luck with the rest of the season.

HW: Thank you! I am very excited for this season and those to come.