Day 3 of Hell Week: Done

Hell Week so far is, well, hellish. After the first day, I was sore. After today, I am even more sore. And after tomorrow, I don't know what I will feel like, but I'm thinking it will start with the letter "s." I'm making a good impression so far. I worked my butt off the past three days, and I think the coaches are noticing. Today was a harder day for me; I didn't stick out as much as I did on Monday, but I still think the coaches noticed my hard work and effort today. The exercises we do are grueling, and we don't give any muscle group a break. I think the coaches' ideas are that if we can't be on the ice, we might as well get them in shape off the ice by pushing them to the limit. This week is teaching me the importance of nutrition, rest, and hydration because my body needs all the help it can take. Mentally, I know I am stronger than most here. I may not be the most fit physically, but I know that my mental toughness can help separate me from other guys who are giving up easily in drills. I try to push through every exercise, no matter how much it hurts. I don't want to be a kid who is cut before even stepping on the ice, and I'm making sure the coaches notice my work. Tonight we have a night off. As a team we are going to a movie, but tomorrow, it's back to work again.

Here We Go

Hell Week started with a bang today. We had a 2 mile test first thing in the morning. I came through in first place on the team. It's a good way to get off on the right foot, but I know the week is only going to get tougher. We have another workout tomorrow at 9, and it goes for about an hour and a half. I know this week is all about mental toughness and showing the coaches your work ethic, and I will keep working as hard as I can. I want to make this team. There are 32 guys at training camp and only 23 spots, so work is cut out for me. I have to make myself noticed because I'm a rookie and haven't proved myself yet. I'm confident, though, that I can show the coaches that I am not afraid to work harder than anyone else to achieve my goal of making the 23 man roster. At Bunny's house, we've been watching Hardknocks, a show about the New York Jets training camp. I think what I'm about to go through will be a lot like that. The coaches expect hard work and execution in everything. If you don't work hard, you're gone, easy as that. I want to be a Bobcat.

The house I'm staying at is great. The couple I'm living with is really into having hockey players around, and they are making me feel very comfortable in their home. It's been fun for the first few nights, but now I know the hard work is about to start. And it's only going to get harder.

In Bismarck, All Moved In

I got into Bismarck on Wednesday night, and I moved into my billet family's house. There are 2 other kids living with me, one from Denver, Trevor, and one from Green Bay, Sam. They are both really nice kids, and I can tell it's going to be a lot of fun to live here. It's awesome to have a veteran like Sam around because he tells me how he felt at this same time last year, and gives me advice on how to handle certain things. Then, it's awesome to have another rookie like Trevor around because I know he's going through the same things I am. It's a big change. The house is set up almost like a dorm room, and the city of Bismarck, so far, is hard for me to navigate through, but I'm sure that will change. Also, I'm not the go-to guy anymore. In high school, I was the BMOC, but now I have to work my way onto the team, and I have to gain respect from my teammates and coaches. It's exciting...and nerve racking. I really like the change so far. I'm ready for the season to start! One of the things Sam has told me is to think positive, even if you have a bad practice and you feel down on yourself for screwing up. I hope I can continue to stay positive through Hell Week, which starts Monday. It seems like all the guys are dreading it...

A Little Perspective

6 months ago, I never thought that I would be in the position I am in now. I made it to training camp with the Bismarck Bobcats, and this is exactly the position I want to be in. I've worked hard to get here, but I will definitely have to work even harder to get where I want to go. After main camp, part of me wanted to hear that I could make an immediate impact on the team, but that is a little unrealistic. I haven't had nearly as much coaching or playing experience as most of the other kids that have made it through to training camp, and I think that is working in my favor because I have a lot of potential that needs to be coached out of me. I'm so excited to start the season, but also a little overwhelmed at trying to think too much about all that I have to do. My dad has told me to take things one step at a time, which has really helped me calm down. This is going to be an exciting process for me, but I know that it's not going to be an easy one. I'm ready to work hard, though, like I've always done in whatever I do. Next step: training camp on August 28th.

Thoughts After Main Camp

I'm emotionally exhausted. I made the cut to training camp, which starts on August 28th. Turns out, they took more than 23 players. I think they took around 30 players for training camp. I know I should be excited, and I am but I'm also disappointed about how much I heard from the coach afterwards. He basically told me the same thing I had heard after the camp in Denver in May. He says I need to work on a lot, and that I need to listen to him no matter how harsh he is in teaching me things. And I will. I'm probably the most coachable kid out there. He also told me that he thinks by Christmas I will be at the level I want to be at to play in the NAHL. Those are good things to hear, and I can tell that he is excited to have me as a Bobcat. At the same time, though, I sort of wanted to hear how much I've improved over the summer. I know I still have a long way to go, but I'm going to take it one step at a time. The next step is training camp, and I need to show up in better shape than I am in now. That's in 3 weeks...Part of me wishes I could start tomorrow, but it will be good for me to be up at the lake with my family for a little while now. I'm excited to be a Bobcat, and from here on out I'm gonna give it all to be the best I can for this team.

Much Better Day at the Rink

I played a lot better today in the two games that I played. I am getting more comfortable and more confident as main camp goes on. I played to my strengths and moved the puck much better than I did yesterday. Working out in Vail the past 2 1/2 weeks has really helped me because I feel like I am very well-conditioned and in good shape to compete with the best players at camp. In the second game of the day, I definitely had my best game of the tryout. My feet were moving, and I felt like I really made a difference whenever I stepped on the ice. I ended up scoring a goal from the point on a slap shot and thought I played well even though we lost the game. I made it onto the all-star game roster with 11 other defensemen. I'm super excited to play in the game tomorrow at 10 because I know I've earned a spot with my play. After the game, the roster comes out. Wish me luck!

Thoughts After 1st Game at Main Camp

Overall, I played pretty well. I was nervous at the beginning and that probably affected my play. I just wanted to do everything right. Because I was worried about trying to be perfect, I ended up making some mistakes. But I think I made some good plays; I had a few good passes and some good shots. I need to figure out a way to become more comfortable on the ice, though, and just play hockey instead of trying to do everything right. I was putting too much pressure on myself when I know I should just follow my instincts and play the game I know how to play. There are two more games to play before the all-star game, at least, and I need to play better, not worry about trying to do too much, but let the game come to me.

Off to Bismarck

Tomorrow, I head to Bismarck, ND for the first time. Main camp starts tomorrow with three games this weekend, and then an all-star game on Sunday. The roster is posted after that and then the real work will start. Wish me luck!!