Hiller 'really excited' to join Canadian hockey market
/Jonas Hiller joined Rob Kerr on Sportsnet 960 Tuesday afternoon to discuss his new contract.
On why he chose the Calgary Flames:
“Well, I think I definitely said I want to play with a team where I feel I had the chance to play quite a few games and at the end there kind of weren’t too many teams really looking for a goalie and Calgary seemed to be interested for the last few days. My agent was definitely talking to them and when they actually made an offer I was excited and it definitely sounded really good to me.
“I think at the end of last year I actually felt myself at the end of last year the team was actually playing really well. I felt like they were definitely a young team that has talent and has a lot of potential and definitely made it sound like they don’t want to wait too many years to develop something and add some players and be part of a team that is kind of on the way up is definitely more exciting than the other way around.”
On how he’d describe the courting:
“I’ve mainly been talking to my agent. He kind of kept me up to date over the last few days and he was talking about the Flames pretty much every day... there were a few other teams, but I don’t think anybody really was as interested as the Flames, which definitely makes you feel good too and definitely is part of making the decision.”
On what happened in his final year in Anaheim and how he’d describe it:
“It was weird. Yeah. I think the most frustrating thing was that I couldn’t really figure out what was going on either. I felt like I had a really good year, even until after the Olympics. I thought I played really well at the Olympics. Kind of came back and had one or two games where I probably wasn’t at my best and suddenly after that I didn’t feel like Bruce Boudreau was really playing me against the good teams and didn’t feel like there was the confidence there. Yeah. He made the decision kind of against me or for Frederik Andersen for the playoffs. It was definitely disappointing because I felt I played well and I deserved to play in the playoffs, but at the end it’s always coach’s decision and that’s kind of the tough part of being a goalie. At the end, there’s one guy playing and that’s kind of it. If you’re the guy, it’s fun. If you ain’t the guy, it’s a little tougher.
“At the same time, I had great years in Anaheim and definitely looking back I’m trying to see the positives but at the same time I’m definitely excited to have a fresh start and start something new and I’m really, really motivated to come into a new city; having new teammates, and just focus on hockey again and don’t worry too much about everything around it.”
On what drives his motor, in terms of motivation, and if it’s proving he’s an elite No. 1 again:
“Yeah, I think that’s definitely part of it. To kind of prove something to other people. But mainly to myself. I think at the end hockey is fun or being a goaltender is fun if you feel confident and you feel the game and you can go out every night and feel like you can help the team and have fun with your teammates. I think that’s kind of what you’re looking for. It’s definitely tougher if you ain’t playing, because then you don’t feel that contribution you make to the success of the team. Kind of being able to help the team win as many games as possible, that definitely motivates me and also being able to prove that maybe Anaheim made the wrong decision.”
On if it means anything to him to play in a “hockey market.” More media pressure in Canada. Does that get you excited or is that even a concern?
“There are always pros and cons on both things. I think I always said in Anaheim it would be nice if people would be a little more into hockey and then in the afternoon if you have a day off or whatever you’re kind of happy that no one cares what you’re doing. So I’m definitely excited to kind of like join a team where people and the city care more about it. I’m really excited about it. Sure, it’s probably going to be a little change and it’ll probably take me a couple of days to adjust that there are probably a few more people in the dressing room after practice and after games, but yeah, at the same time I’m really excited to be part of a team where the city really cares and the people are into it and people really know about hockey.”
Hiller also spoke about knowing Sven Baertschi a little bit.