Less is More

The biggest lesson I learned during my weekend with the Steelheads was "less is more." My whole life I've been able to do pretty much anything I want on the ice. I could take the puck coast to coast 4, 5, or even more times than that a game. I could pull dangerous toe drags in my zone. I could get away with things that I can't get away with anymore. But now I'm learning to play the game of hockey right. I'm learning to make the smart plays, I'm learning to change my game, and become a better hockey player. I played 4 games in 4 days with the Steelheads, which I think was very good for me. I needed to get in some games and experience some game situations. I had fun playing with them, and I learned a lot. I think I made an impact in the games even though I didn't score, considering I didn't know any of their systems and had never practiced with them. I made some good plays, and I think I played pretty solidly. I got a lot of ice time too.

I think the big thing I need to take from this weekend is that I can't try to do too much. Sometimes my old game comes out of me, and I get tunnel vision and try to do too much with the puck and make a mistake. I just have to make the simple plays, smart plays, and get the puck up ice. Because that's the kind of player I am. I'm a good passer in the defensive zone, and I just need to play within myself.