Player Profile: Julian Feijo

Welcome back to our Player Profile segment! To kick of our 2013 Player Profile series, we start with one half of the ultimate grindline twosome, Julian Feijo. He recently sat down with us between selling stocks and mixing cocktails to let us in on how he feels about the upcoming season with the Delta Giants

Julian, great to see you after a long offseason. Lets get started here. A lot of people are talking about how you guys have dropped from A to B division. People are wondering if the team is falling apart or if there is conflict. What are your personal expectations for the Giants in the "B" division?
J: I feel that we have high expectations after coming down from A division. In B we have a lot to prove, last year we had lots of problems external and internally within the organization. I feel the move to B was a great decision by management. The offseason additions look great and looks like we have stepped our game up. Nothing but a provincial championship will do this year.

You are once again suiting up for Team Portugal at the World Championships this summer back east. Tell us what its like to play over there and how it helps your game with the Giants.
J: Well to start, you're playing with the best players in the world! You really have to step your game up at the tournament. I have learned a lot over there and I want to bring that experience back and share it with the boys. Playing with guys who play for Team Canada or the AHL have taught me a lot, and anything I can do to help the team get better, I will do.

Your linemate, Ryan Biehl, is an integral part of the 3rd line Grind Line. Tell me about you guys and why it just works with you two.
J: Ryan Biehl is one of the best hockey players I know. He is the smartest player I have ever played with. The best part about playing with him is that he always knows where I will be and where I am going to be. We have that chemistry where we can read each other and telepath whats going to happen. I could not imagine playing on a line without him. He battles every single shift, never gives up and never complains about anything. He is positive about every situation, and every team he has played for has been good. Again, I couldn't imagine playing without him.

The past couple of years, management has been trying to find the right piece to complement you two on the Grind Line. What does this missing third player need to be successful with you two?
J:Well we are a pretty unique line. We score occasionally, we love to grind, so we are kind of a versatile line. We like to do a little bit of everything to be honest. Its difficult to find somebody to work with us. Kody Botterill was a great addition on the ice, but on the floor, it did not translate. We need someone with a nice shot to finish our battles, and also someone who is willing to get dirty in the corners. Since we love to cycle, we also need someone who is quick and can get into the right position. Hopefully this year we will find that guy.

I know you're a busy guy so we will end with this. B Division. 8 teams. For you and the Giants, what are your expectations? Is provincials enough? Qualifying for Westerns? What are your thoughts on gauging the success of the team?
J: Without a doubt we will win the league. No questions asked. We are by far the strongest team in the league. In A, we were one of the best, so dropping to B should be a piece of cake from what we are used to. Provincial championship is where we want to be, it should be expected from the boys. Anything less would be a disappointment for us.

J: Id also like to thank management and the front office staff for all the work this offseason. The team looks strong with all of our free agents. Management did a great job of looking after the team and helping us get to where we want to be.

We would like to thank Julian for taking the time to be our first player profile of the year. We cant wait to see how his grind line plays tomorrow in the season opener. Stay tuned for another Player Profile coming in hot, featuring last years Rookie of the Year and part time guitarist, Mr. Colin Catchpole

Delta Giants 2013 Season

First post of the season! The boys are back! There is lots of optimism to start the 2013 campaign for the Giants. After a year of injuries and set backs, the Giants have decided to step down into the B and rebuild from the last couple years in A. To start, management would like to say a happy retirement to a couple of original Giants who will no longer be playing with us. First, the Delta Giants original bigman Mat Tzetzos has decided to call it a career. We hope he and his dad will still come to the fundraisers and buy all the silent auction items in the future! Next, our token brown guy Ranvir Khosla is retiring due to school and work conflicts. Never afraid to drop his blue gloves, we will miss his work ethic on the grind line! Mike Guertin, another original giant, was forced to retire after popping his knee last year. Our star Team Canada defenceman Dennis Prettejohn will also be missing the season due to overseas training in Linkoping, Sweden. We hope to have him back in time for provincials! And finally, nobody knows what Derryk Homma is doing.

As old members go, new teammates arrive. We would like to welcome a handful of new Delta Giants who will hopefully help us to regain our form atop the league standings. First welcome Chris Ceraldi (@ceraldi15) to the fold. He is a 2 time Junior Team Canada World Champion and former teammate of last years ROY Colin Catchpole (@catchflow). We hope his experience and offensive skills will help ignite the scoring this year. Next is Steven Spiel (@SteveySpiel) who was added with recommendation from Chris Roddy. He works out probably too much, but has a clapper that will rival our resident clap specialist, Josh MacKenzie. Brad Tobin (@4bobbyorr4) finally convinced Taylor Clarke to make his return to the Giants after a 4 year hiatus from the big show. He is no stranger to the Giants as he is an original member of the team. His vaunted shot from the point is a nice addition and will be looked upon to boost the powerplay which struggled at times last year. Luke Brown has also been added to the fold. It is his first year playing with the big club and we hope his speed and strength will help upfront. John Dorey makes his fulltime return to the club after being an AP for a couple of years. He will be looked upon to be the last piece of the grind line, which was cycled out members over the past few years. After a successful WHL career, Anthony Bardaro (@bards21) will be joining the Giants on a part time basis. He was called up last year and played well for the team, we hope he can continue that form this year. Former Alberni Valley Bulldogs captain and Junior Team Canada player Trent Dorais has also joined the Giants. He will add toughness and speed to a team which relies on quickness to out hustle the other teams. Finally, with starting goalie Carlos Rodriguez (@carlosroddy) out indefinitely  after ACL surgery, we have picked up goaltender Deep to start the season. He will fill the void while Carlos rehabs and hopes to be back by playoffs.

The Delta Giants kick off the season tomorrow at 7:30 PM at Kensington Arena in Burnaby against the hometown Bombers. F Rob Rhyorchuk (@robry28) and F Josh MacKenzie (@djgiant99)  will not be available for the season opener.

Stay posted for the first player profile of the year, Julian Feijo, coming later this afternoon.