Q. What was that whole process like waiting and wondering?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, again, you really think about it, when it comes down to it, the experience, the emotions, everything that was kind of going down, when I saw the trade I was pretty excited, just knowing that -- I'm a fan of hockey, so any trades, anything cool like that, it's a cool experience, but getting my name called was pretty special. My heart skipped probably a few beats a minute there.
Q. (On playing in Phoenix.)
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, again, I've kind of always had a dream to play there. I think dessert, rebuild, I think I've kind of been through it a little bit. Definitely better weather than Winnipeg, I can tell you that. But again, it's not really an inclination, it was more just have fun and enjoy the whole moment and just try and soak it all in.
Q. Have you had a chance to talk to Morgan about playing in the NHL and professional hockey and what to expect?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, again, you obviously kind of experience it kind of going with him, right, you see what happens when he goes through all these things. I wouldn't say we solely talk about hockey. Obviously it comes up in the conversation, but like I said, it's just how he carries himself, the things he does. Hard work will always get you there, kind of coming where he came from.
Q. What do you know about the Coyotes right now? They're obviously in a rebuild. What do you know about how they're playing right now?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, I think they play a little bit of my style of game. I know they've got a lot of resources when it comes to working out and skating. They have a lot of good stuff. Dylan Guenther obviously I know is there and having Shane Doan in your organization, it's pretty surreal, and again, I'm just excited to kick things off and see where it all things.
Q. What are the possibilities for next season?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, again, I think -- obviously I want to try and crack the team when I'm 18. I think with how good our Winnipeg team is going to be, I think maybe stay one more year and kind of mature, get a little bit faster, have a little more pace to my game. Again, I'm going to obviously try and crack the squad. That's every 18 year old's dream, and I'm just excited to see what happens.
Q. Did you have any conversations with the Coyotes?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, so the combine had a few, Zoom calls, phone calls, whatever that may be, but nothing too crazy. Again, everything is a whirlwind here. Anything can happen, and I think knowing that going into it was a huge help.
Q. Anything you remember from those conversations or was it from one to the next?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, it was just from one to the next and I got a pretty good vibe when it came from them, really good feeling kind of in my stomach anyways, not sure about them, but I had a good feeling and I was super pumped.
Q. It's no secret that Bill likes (indiscernible)?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, I think I started kind of halfway through the season playing a lot more physical game, trusting that I can really beat guys wide, really be able to kind of do my thing when it comes to using my body, and again, all I can do is get stronger from here, faster, and again, trusting that I can protect pucks down low, and I use it a lot for my vision and my IQ, and again, it's just kind of seeing how everything pans out and really working on getting stronger.
Q. I just want to ask you about the impact that the Winnipeg Ice organization had on your development and getting to this point today.
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, huge thanks to obviously Jake and Matt Cockell and Jake Heisinger for obviously picking me there two years ago, I believe. Huge thanks to the coaching staff, Josh Green, and James Patrick. Jeep has kind of done -- I can't thank him enough. I can't go into depth in the words that he's done for me, teaching me to play the right way, giving me the chance to play there and kind of play my game with a little bit of leeway. Again, can't thank them enough, and Winnipeg is always going to have a special place in my heart.
Q. Obviously you got to see Matthew Savoie picked before you. How did that make you feel and how excited are you to potentially get back to Winnipeg next season?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, again, I think it's one of those things where it's -- he's almost like your brother, a proud brother moment. Our hug was I'd say pretty emotional when it came down to it. Seeing him go, super proud of him, super happy with how everything has turned out for us so far, and hopefully the future holds something pretty special.
Q. You mentioned your size; is that something that you're focused on in terms of bulking up more or are there other elements of your game that you need to focus on developing?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, I think skating. The NHL is getting pretty fast. I wouldn't say I'm too slow but any means, but when I get going, I know I'm a decent skater, but again, like I said, I can always get faster, you can always get stronger, you can always get smarter. There's a lot of different things you can do, and I'm super excited to get into the swing of things.
Q. Is it more about explosion, that first step and getting going?
CONOR GEEKIE: Yeah, for sure, it's transitioning, explosion. You kind of just go through the process. I was always told that IQ and vision you can teach early but not late, and skating you can teach late and early; you can do both. But dad was pretty stern on let's get everything else down and skating will come.
Yeah, super excited and just I've worked hard for it, so now let's keep it going.
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