September is here, and with it, NAHL preseason! As opening night on September 13th draws ever so nearer, I sat down with Mountain Kings forward Alex Gelhar to discuss the upcoming season. This conversation has been slightly edited for clarity and formatting.
Alex Posani (AP): How was your summer?
Alex Gelhar (AG): It’s been a great summer, a bit too long. I’ve been working, playing hockey every day, working out, and just getting ready to get back here and get to work.
AP: Any particular aspects of your game you’ve been working on?
AG: I’ve been getting bigger, stronger, faster. Improving on my weaknesses and building on my strengths.
AP: The Daft Punk strategy.
AG: (laughs) That’s right!
AP: This upcoming season will be Year Two for you with the Mountain Kings. Going into the season, what are you focused on?
AG: We want to be a top 4 team in the NAHL. We believe we have the players and the talent to make that happen.
AP: What are some of the team’s strengths this season?
AG: We’re a worker-first team, everybody pulling the same side of the rope. We’re a bunch of dogs.
AP: With last year’s leadership corps aging out, are the guys ready to step up to fill the void?
AG: Absolutely, we have a great group of guys. We’re all best friends, and we’re all pulling the same direction. We’re ready.
AP: Taking a look at the upcoming schedule, if there’s one set of games you are most excited about, what would they be?
AG: Maine. We want revenge after last year, and part of being a top 4 team is being able to take down the big teams like Maine.
AP: The NAHL styles itself as the League of Opportunity. What’s the big opportunity you’re focused on this year.
AG: The league does a really good job of giving us a platform for exposure and to earn a Division 1 spot in College Hockey. They give us the opportunity and it’s up to us to earn it.
AP: Thanks for your time!
AG: Thank you!
Be ready for the aforementioned Maine Nordiques to come to Tri Town Ice Arena on January 23rd, February 10th, March 7th, and March 13th. Tickets can be bought at tickets.nhmountainkings.com
Be sure to show out for opening weekend with games on Saturday, September 13th at 6pm and Sunday, September 14th at 5pm. More player interviews, player profiles, and game recaps to come! ~ Alex Posani
Alex Posani is the public address announcer and DJ for the New Hampshire Mountain Kings of the NAHL and NA3HL, and the cohost of Mountain Kings Catch-up and Mountain Kings 3Wind on WKXL. Check back for more articles throughout the season!