Finding a Rhythm

Today, I showed up at the rink ready to work, just like always. I stickhandled, then went on the ice at about 9. I actually like being out on the ice all alone. It's a cool feeling when I'm out there by myself. It feels like there are thousands of people watching in the empty seats, but really no one's watching, and I can just do work. I push myself in the drills I do by myself, but I don't tire myself out because there is a full length practice afterwards. But I get a sweat going, warm my hands up, and warm my mind up. I've started to get into a rhythm, and I think going out on the ice early really gets me ready to practice and practice well. I think people respect how hard I'm working. They see me get better every day, and I think it makes them want to work hard with me. It feels really good to work hard and feel results, but it also feels good to have other people notice how hard I work and see a difference. I had another solid practice today. I'm getting so much better it's scary. Not only am I getting better physically, but I'm also getting stronger mentally. I really believe I can play Division I hockey, and I'm not worried about every little mistake I make anymore. Before I was worried about what people would think of me as a person because of the mistakes I made on the ice. It was silly, but the way I am, I just think about little things like that. And as hard as it is to talk to friends in college and hear what they're going through, I know I chose this path, and I know this is what I want to be doing. I mean, I get to play hockey 3 hours a day!

After practice, Coach skated us for 15 or 20 minutes because we were very undisciplined and took 23 penalties in 2 games this weekend. I've bagged more times here in a month than I think I ever have. But, like I said, working hard is fun. One of the guys said today during the stretch after the skate, "It's gonna be a long nap today. Probably 3, 4 hours..." I kind of thought to myself, "Eh, that'd be nice; I should do that." Then, I decided I wanted to go work hard some more instead, so I went and worked out. I also went to the office after practice and talked to Coach Gill because Coach Sedevie wasn't there. I asked him how he thinks I'm doing, and he smiled like he thought I already knew the answer. He said, "Good. Just keep doing what you're doing. We're noticing."