Rachel West

Lightning Radio | Sports Anchor/Reporter | @UF alum

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

It's Mental Health Awareness Month and @jacksonolson__ was just named the newest Dancing with the Stars cast member, so what better time to look back on this story with the @TheSavBananas star?

In a year, Olson has gone from battling anxiety to dancing into the ballroom 🕺✨

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

- Doesn’t expect a lot of teams to be making big splashes on July 1 because the splashes aren’t there to be made
- Cooper will be “here for a while”

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Notes from Julien BriseBois:
- “A missed opportunity for a very good hockey team that won 50 games this year”
- Still in their window. “I don’t see an end in sight.”
- Never got back to how they were playing before Olympic break
- Holmberg injury was a fractured clavicle…

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

- On Kuch’s body language: “I don’t think it’s an issue internally, but I realize the perception…He’s a misunderstood genius…It’s not that this year he was disappointing, it’s that in some years he was out of this world.”If we win the series, we’re talking about the good things

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

- On Kucherov extension - “I foresee him staying in our organization for a very long time, hopefully until the end of his career.” Already had conversations about him wanting to stay and the team wanting him to stay
- Not overly concerned with PP or faceoff percentage…

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

- Holmberg injury hurt. Went from never worrying about Gourde, Girgensons, Holmberg line to working out new configurations throughout playoffs
- Already talked to Raddysh’s agent, been in touch through 2nd half of year, will let dust settle. Said his season was a nice surprise…

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

We have great role models on our team with that. Heddy is a great role model you aspire to be like.”

He particularly wants to grow offensively and in leadership.

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

JJ Moser says he’s feeling like he’s growing closer to the player he wants to be: “The player I want to be is certainly a two-way player. Being effective in all situations — offensively, defensively, on the ice, off the ice, leadership, being a good teammate…

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

summer and not let it happen again.”

Also said he plans to work on his shooting, getting shots in tight areas, and increasing his scoring zone.

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Brayden Point on not scoring: “A couple of goals would’ve went a long way. I put a lot of that on me. You have to find a way to produce and you need guys from all lines to score, and I wasn’t a part of that. You have to look yourself in the mirror and see why and work all…

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Brandon Hagel: “The teams we’ve talked about in prior years that they’re up and coming, well they’re here...It sucks because I sit here and say I want to win so bad, but at the end of the day, in games like that, your best players have to show up and I don’t think we did that.”

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Nikita Kucherov on the early exit: “I just think it’s on us being able to create chances 5-on-5 and on the power play. Give (Montreal) credit they did well, but we’ve got to be a lot better.”

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Nick Paul on the season ending abruptly: “We felt like we could win. We felt like we could go deep. There wasn’t a doubt we were going to win. That room was super confident and ready to find a way.”

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Nick Paul on Hedman: “It just shows mental health — it can happen to anybody. It was very brave, very strong of Vic to do what he did. It’s hard to pull yourself away and do that when everyone is going to be talking about it.”

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Victor Hedman addressing the media for the first time after stepping away from the game to focus on his mental health: “Stammer has been a big part (of helping)”.

Also said he was there both physically and mentally if the team advanced in the playoffs.

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Darren Raddysh on free agency: “Still pretty early, trying to digest the season. We’ll let the business side of it deal with itself. I’m kind of enjoying being a dad now. I get to spend more time with my son now…We’ll get back to (the business side) in a few weeks.”

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Ryan McDonagh on Hedman: “We just wanted to be there for him because he’s been there for us his whole life.”

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

Gage came through with the heroics in Game 6. Now everything is on the line tonight in Game 7 ⚡️

“I’m expecting a hell of an effort and commitment from our guys.”

Head to @BoltsRadio for the full interview!

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

If you watch this interview for no other reason but to see Crozier’s hit again, I’m okay with that

[Lightning Audio Network @BoltsRadio]

Max Crozier drew into the lineup on Sunday and left his mark. @rachelwest__ caught up with him to discuss the Bolts' success in Game 4 and look ahead to Game 5 tonight!

Don't miss tonight's broadcast starting with @GregLinnelli and the pregame show at 6:30pm. @DaveMishkin and Phil Esposito will be on the call at 7pm.⚡️

🎧: https://t.co/LBlVXlca70
📻: @1025TheBone

[Rachel West @rachelwest__]

@stevecarney 😂😂