step in the right direction or is this may be the first time you end the season and you think we didn't build on uh what the momentum you have going? Um I mean, I think in in some ways, yeah, I was a step in the right direction, but I think from, from the sense that the expectations we had going into this year, I don't think we met those expectations. We wanted to be obviously a team that won the competition and we thought we had the people and the team to do it. And, and so in that sense, no, it wasn't a step in the right direction. But um, I mean, I think you cheer, you learn and you grow by the, um, not some winning or losing. And so from that aspect, yeah, it's a step in the right direction just because you learn and you grow and you continue to get that experience and hopefully you learned from your mistakes Tony was just in here and he was talking about how when he first came in, he felt like he had to win the fans over all of his past and things like did he have to win? I gotta win the team over to the players or it was a pretty quick transition. I mean, he knew a lot of guys coming into the team. Um, so that definitely helped. But then, um, yeah, it was, it was a pretty seamless transition. We're a tight knit group in there and then he came in and he fit right in and um, yeah, that's good. How did this team compare dependent came seems you've been on recently um from the from that like just the overall group players wise, I mean it's it's an unbelievable group, I think this is the year that we had the best goaltending. Um The best I just the best team overall. Um Yeah it just it didn't work out the way way we hoped for but from from a a team aspect, from a all around play aspect I think was by far the best team. But how do you take it personally? You're a guy who's been here for all four of the mhm teams that went to the playoffs. Does it grind you a little bit worse that the fourth year didn't move forward? I just how do you take it personally? Yeah, definitely grinds you. Like I said you have these expectations as a team um that you wanted to go far, I mean there was no doubt in my mind we were going farther than we did and so it definitely grind you and it's it's frustrating but I mean at the end of the day it's it's hockey and you're going to have those times when you're you're supposed to win games and you don't and you don't win games and you do you know? And so um that's why hockey, I mean it's awesome and I mean obviously that's any sport but I feel like especially in hockey um that just happens and so yeah it's frustrating and I mean I guess taking it personally it's frustrating. So you lost your d partner last offseason, there's a chance that your d partner could not be back next season. How much are you telling the team that that Tony fits in here with what what you guys are doing? Yeah. I mean I I would love for him to be back and he's a great player, he makes our team better. So um obviously I hope he's back. But I mean at the end of the day it's a business and it is happening happens and so a little a little bit, I mean I've had multiple partners in my career and so hopefully hopefully Tony stays for a while. But I mean at the end of the day um talking and it's a business. So what about you also you started this season with Ethan and it was probably a tough year for him. Uh He's you know he's a restricted free agent so he can't just walk out the door if he if he's back, how as one of the leaders on the team, how do you talk to him about you know kind of resetting after? It seemed like until Covid happened he was having a pretty good go of it and everything kind of unraveled. Yeah I think so. I mean me and him were playing great together and he's a heck of a hockey player and a great teammate off the ice as well. And um, me and him were pretty good buddies. And so it's, I think if he's back next year, which I hope he is, it's, I mean it's just getting him that confidence again and and trusting in his game and and trusting in the game that we put, we put forth out there as a team as a group and, and hopefully um he can get his confidence back and he's a great player, skilled player and and uh, and so great defenseman. So hopefully he can get that confidence back. How hard is it to accept the fact that you're not getting ready to play another game. That's tough. I mean, it's definitely tough. It's tough and frustrating. Um but I mean at the end of the day, it is, it is just hockey, there was a lot more to life than, I mean, even before the game, just a game seven I guess I had a piece win or lose. Um knowing that it is just a game and and my identity is not bound to the game of hockey and not bound to Windsor losses. And so, um, that I mean, I I have peace in that and so I have my baby boys due in july and a lot of a lot of good things to look forward to this summer and spending time with family and um, but I mean, yeah, it's it's still frustrating, but you were playing last tonight and then we watched it in the game last night because I was like, is it is it sad watching this? I was like, yeah, it is. I mean, I wish we were playing tomorrow night. But um like I said, at the end of the day, it is it is just a game and there is more to life than hockey. And so um be frustrated. But like I said, I have peace knowing that my identity is not in hockey. Is it a bit surreal to see how that series and not just those two teams, the series they played in the way that hockey is compared to The way that you guys are playing. Yeah, it's crazy. I mean, there's probably two of the best offenses in the game going back and forth that day. I think it was 63 and Kylie is like, this game's gonna end 76 or something like that. And then We turned it off for a bit and then I pulled up the phone, I was like, I had 76 with a minute to go. And so she was like, what? But yeah, she she said she should've put some money down on it. One thing about Tony too, he said there are times when he probably talks too much whether times says it's defensive partner when you want to look over Tony. I mean, I guess, yeah, there's times when you try to calm down and he's just going but like I said, he's emotional, he cares about the game, he cares about winning. Um, and so, you know, it's, he's just like I said, I think it comes down to care and if he wants to win and when things don't seem uh fair, I know you can get on the ropes a little bit and so when things don't seem like they're gone the way they should be gone. He, I mean anyone who cares why is gonna get emotional and like I said in previous interviews, some people just show it differently. Um, and so no, I remember one time we were in Colorado and it was so it was late in the game and we were supposed to line up a different way for a face off and I was like, we're gonna switch and he told me no. And so yeah, we didn't switch, but it ended up being tired. It was, but it was, it was funny, but it was one of those times where like he was just really into the game. And so, um, it's, but no, we, we are compatibility was good when we had good chemistry and I knew the way he played the game and I can read and react off of that. So I love being his partner, He described, he described being taken some steps defensively learning from you, did you, how much did you see in that growth in that part of his game, not just offensively if you will. Yeah, I think one of the biggest things about his game is his work ethic, I mean um he works extremely hard out there and then from a defensive aspect. Yeah, I think he grew in his game. Um His I think his gaps got tighter and obviously he's a good skater and so being able to rely on that skating um is always a good thing, but being able to trust yourself in that skating and the way that we play the game um as a decoy or is having tight gaps and making sure that stuff is um locked in. And I think he grew in that aspect of trusting his skating and being able to have that tight gap and um breakouts obviously he's can make great plays and so it's nice going back for a puck and when he was going back for it and not even have to do anything and we're out of his own and he makes a nice play in the middle or whatever it is and so his defensive game, yeah, definitely group but I think it comes down to his work ethic and him being able to put in the work um to do that. Alright, thanks. Thanks guys, appreciate it. Good luck with that