Inferno Interview - Rupert Quiney

Things have been a bit quiet over the off season so far but fear not we're back with a few more player interviews. First up is Rupert Quiney. When Rupert was announced on a two way contract with the Devils last season a lot of people thought, who's this guy? We saw plenty of people from other teams voicing their opinions and they tended to be “we think it was too much of a step up”.

Maybe he started slowly trying to get a feel for the hockey here in Cardiff but after being moved up full time to the Elite Devils last season as a forward, there's been no stopping him.

To snap a D man turned forward up off the radar with his size, is pretty much unheard of. Mark Cuddihy the NIHL Devils coach knew about him and wanted him to come down to show Gerad and Franny that this kid could do the job for them.

We spoke to Rupert about his time since he's been here, the season ahead and his future goals

The Inferno - When you signed, there was some concern over on "other" forums that you'd not get the Ice time here you'd of got in the EPL. Are you happy with the Ice time your getting with the Devils ?

Rupert Quiney - Last year it was a little hard to settle in at first. I wasn't playing the way I wanted to in practice and I was lacking some self-confidence. I wanted to be getting more ice time but I knew it was down to me to show I could earn it, G and Franny definitely did the right thing by giving me time. I feel like at the end of last season when G and Franny started playing me up front, I showed I was able to perform a useful role in this league and that's when the ice time came in spades.

The Inferno - Development wise how do you feel your season has gone ?

Rupert Quiney -I have learned a lot! From being around the seasoned pros every day at the rink, having to raise your game to play with them forces you to be better. Also being throw into different situations really helped me. Going from Elite League to NIHL, defense to forward, taught me how to adapt and play in a whole variety of styles of game.

The Inferno - Who initiated the transition to playing forward? Was it a direction you saw yourself going in and how much does your approach to the game change playing in a different position.

Rupert Quiney -G first mentioned it to me quite early on in the season as he believed it would help me develop my skill set and help with my decision making at the higher level. I was very skeptical about it as I had never played forward at any level let alone in the Elite league but in the end G was absolutely right. I had to change my game a lot as our line of Piggsie, Hards and I had very simple instructions, get the puck out of our zone and into theirs however we could, and put pucks on net. The simple game was a lot of fun and I think we did pretty well considering we were probably the most inexperience line in the league.

Image courtesy of Rick Webb

The Inferno - What was your first impression of playing at the Elite league level. Did anything take you by surprise or were you well prepared ?

Rupert Quiney -I still remember my first game, seeing the amount of people and the atmosphere in the BBT was like nothing I had played in front of before. As for the hockey itself I would just say that the speed of everything was a shock and that was the hardest thing to adjust to. I prepared as best I could but I had never even been to watch an Elite League game or even an EPL game. I played all of my youth and senior hockey in Streatham and then in Canada so the league was a total unknown to me. It was definitely better than I expected.

The Inferno - It’s just been confirmed that you’ve signed with the Elite Team for next season. How do you feel on getting the call early? Goals for next season?

Rupert Quiney -It felt good knowing that the Devils had faith in me to make the full time commitment to the Elite team, and it’s nice to know where you’re going to be at the start of the summer rather then being in limbo in August about where you may end up. As team goals I think we all want to win, we know last year we got a little unlucky with unfortunate injuries and I know the whole devils organisation is committed to put a winning team together. As for myself I would like to continue on from last year, keep getting better, not worrying about points or anything like that but just playing confident, smart hockey. And I also feel I need to play more physical. I am lucky to have good size, its a bit of a waste if I don't use it.

The Inferno - Are you tempted to try the states again?

Rupert Quiney -I won't be trying the states again anytime soon. The Elite League is a great level of hockey with some great players and I don't feel the need to leave until I have got all I can from playing here. After spending three years playing in North America it’s just nice to be back closer to friends and family, I don't want that to change either.

The Inferno - Do you feel that London and surrounding area is missing out by not having an Elite League team.

Rupert Quiney -I really do. I love London it’s a great city with a very exciting atmosphere and I think an Elite League team would do really well there. I think being the capital city, if London had an exciting top flight team again it would help raise awareness for the sport at a national level.

The Inferno - Any other players you are aware off that you are aware off from around London or Playing abroad who would benefit from following your path to Cardiff.

Rupert Quiney -A few guys come to mind, there are a lot of talented players that I played with and against in my youth hockey that were much better than I was then. But from playing abroad and in Cardiff I have just been able to give myself the best chance of improvement. The trouble is a lot of the guys from London start careers or reach NIHL and have no where else to go higher as there isn't an elite team there. Saying all that I played with Louis Lockwood for years at Streatham then in Canada and hes currently playing for the NIHL Devils while studying at Bristol University.

The Inferno - Summer plans for keeping in Shape and improving again by start of next season?

Rupert Quiney -I took some time off to recover from the hectic end of last season but now I have been back in the gym and on the ice so a while now. Our team trainer Mike Parsons at Fitness Factory has put together a new training program to follow in the lead up to the season so now I'm getting stuck into that. I am also planning to play in a few high level rec tournaments in July so that will help me get back in the swing of things. I am planning to be in the best shape I can come the start of the season, G has made it clear to us all that he needs us to be working hard and come ready to play in September.

The Inferno - Do you plan and see your future as a forward or switching back?

Rupert Quiney -If people ask me what position I play I still say D. But I do enjoy playing forward and if that's where G wants me to play then I will gladly play there. If he needs me on the back end I would play there too. In this league with three line hockey it is really useful to have utility guys that can play forward and D so I am glad I have the ability to play both.

The Inferno - So the team made it to the finals weekend in Nottingham. I’m sure you heard about the weekend but what was it like for yourself a first year pro to be involved in such an arena and with all the different fans there? Is it true you played 4 games in two days between the EIHL and NIHL teams?

Rupert Quiney -The final weekend was a cool experience, it was nice to play at Nottingham when it was more of a neutral venue rather then 7000 screaming Nottingham fans like normal. Those games where its do or die, everyone is on the edge of their seat and anything can happen on the night is what hockey is about so I just loved that I was on the ice trying my hardest to help the team in a game like that. Yes me and Chris Hart both played in the two games in Nottingham and the NIHL's home and away playoff match up with Invicta. At that point in the season we knew we were eligible to play in all four games and we had nothing to save our energy for. I especially wanted to do it because Mark Cuddihy who runs the NIHL team had done a lot for me with me moving to Cardiff so it was nice to get back and help those boys too. As I was constantly travelling I didn't get to experience the final weekend as fully as I would have hoped but I hope to play at that weekend a few more times in my career.

We'd like to thank Rupert for his time and wish him all the best for the upcoming season