Greenville, SC—After the game on Sunday against the Ghost Pirates, I got the opportunity to sit down with the Swamp Rabbits’ top forwards, Nikita Pavlychev and Carter Souch.
Interview with Pavlychev
Asked Pavlychev what his transition has been like after his few week stay for the Ontario Reign, now going back to Greenville playing for a new but familiar Swamp Rabbits team.
“It’s definitely a lot more hockey down here–obviously, I didn’t get many games up in Ontario. It’s been nice to get back into the swing of things and play here, contribute and be an asset – and succeed here.”
For those unfamiliar with how call-ups and send downs work under the AHL and ECHL, I asked him what that’s like through a player perspective.
“I mean, you can either let it get to you or try to push you forward, which is what I’m trying to do. I try to develop and grow as a player here, and I think that’s the way to do it. This is more of an opportunity rather than a sort of punishment. I try to stay positive.”
After the tragic accident overseas, a lot of hockey players, pro and amateur, have been wearing neckguards. I asked Pavlychev what it means to wear a neckguard and why he chooses to wear it.
“Adam Johnson, I guess, he was a teammate of mine when I played in Ontario. It’s a terrible, terrible thing that happened to the hockey world and the Johnson family. I think there’s no absolute reason why, started at a young age all the way up to pro, why guys shouldn’t protect themselves. I think we’re not always protecting ourselves and setting an example for the younger generations. Everyone should be wearing those neck guards as long as they don’t affect your game; me personally, it doesn’t affect me at all. I think it’s quite comfortable, and the materials are quite good. I just hope no one has to ever deal with that again.”
He’s played 11 games so far for the Rabbits, tallying up six goals and nine assists, many points being correlated to the Power Play. I asked what makes the Rabbits’ power play so successful now that hes on the top unit?
“Yeah, I think we just stay hungry, and we want to punish the teams that take penalties; we want our powerplay to be a momentum swing for the team and capitalize on it as much as possible. It’s kind of just the hungry mindset that goes into it every game.”
Then my final question to him was what he thinks the Swamp Rabbits need to do going forward after losing to the Ghost Pirates at home on Sunday.
“I think tonight was an example of the team coming out a bit flat. The other team was the team to beat right now with how much success we’ve had early on. We need to be able to play a full 60 and close out on games; no matter if it’s a one-goal game or five-goal game, we need to play a full 60, and chip away.”
Interview with Carter Souch
Asked Souch what his second season with Rabbits has been like
“Yeah, it’s been good. Obviously a lot of returning guys from last year – we’ve got a good culture, good thing going here. It’s fun to come to the rink every day, and we all buy-in and get better day by day.”
As of right now, Souch has tallied up 19 points with nine goals and ten assists, which makes him the player with the most points on the team. I asked what elements makes him into this kind of successful player.
“I mean, we’re playing good hockey as a team; I’m playing with good players, obviously getting chances here and there and putting the puck in the net. Obviously had a couple of games off now, but i’m wanting to get back on that. I’m not tracking them.”
Similar to Pavlychev, Souch has also been the few members of the team to wear a neck guard. I asked why he chooses to wear one and what his message is.
“I mean I think, obviously growing up in minor hockey, it’s kind of a requirement, and then you get to juniors and pro and it kind of leans out a little bit. Obviously, there was the situation overseas. And I just think for safety and it’s better safe than sorry. I had the option to wear the full undershirt with the neck guard built in, and I happily took that option.”
Before he signed with GVL last season, Souch played for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL for five seasons. Now that he’s in the ECHL and has a lot of experience so far, I asked what makes a major junior league like the WHL different from a major professional league like the ECHL, playing and development-wise?
“I think after playing there for five years, it’s a really good league. Obviously, there’s a pretty big age discrepancy there with 16 to 21-year-olds. You know sometimes, when I was younger, you kind of felt like a boy playing against men out there a little bit. Obviously, I think in pro everyone has matured a bit; there are a lot of guys who have a lot of playing experience. It’s good to learn off of those guys and, take what I can and improve on my game.
My final question was what he thinks, looking back after the game at home on Sunday and on the road on Saturday against Savannah, needs to improve from the team going forward.
He answered: “You know it was a tough result tonight; I don’t think it was the first period we would like to have – I think we could’ve came out with a little more juice and emphases. But, again, it’s a long season, and us as a group, I think we’re going to keep building this thing and learn – learn from tonight obviously. It stings for now, but we’re gonna get ready for Wednesday.”
The Swamp Rabbits will play on Wednesday, December 11 at home against the Gladiators.
