Rollin' With the Punches

Someone told me the other day that it's a good thing I'm so flexible. I really didn't know for sure whether or not I would be coming to Boise or going back to New Mexico until probably the day before I left, and I didn't even talk to my coach in New Mexico personally until I was in Salt Lake City. But I try not to worry about the things I can't control. I just went with the flow. I was told to come to Boise because it would be the best thing for me, so I started driving. And three days later, here I am, sitting in Boise, Idaho, the land of potatoes. I had my first day of practice today, and it felt good to get back out on the ice, even though I am a little rusty and a little out of shape after two weeks off. But I think my hockey legs will come back pretty quickly.

I was feeling a little down earlier in the day, maybe because I was tired after practice, but I was just thinking to myself that it would be tough to learn a whole new city again, and then my negative thoughts kind of snowballed. This is my third city, my third team, my third billet family in one year. It's pretty crazy. But it's also nice to be wanted. Everywhere I've gone, I've had people who want me around, and now I have a lot of people who care about me as a hockey player and as a person, a lot of people who believe in me. So, I started looking at the positives, and now I feel great about where I am. My goals are still in reach if I go for them. I was telling my dad the other day, though, that I'm tired of just being potential. I want to start realizing some of my potential, and I think the only way I can do that is if I start to play consistently. I'm definitely in the right place to start reaching my potential. I'm playing for an amazing coach, and I'm playing on a good team. It's just up to me to maintain my work ethic and keep my positive attitude. I think the sky's the limit for me if I keep working hard. I'm excited about the chance I'm being given here. I think I can really make a difference on this team, and I can tell that I'm wanted. I may have also been wanted in Bismarck and New Mexico, but I wasn't playing consistently, and that's the most important thing. I'm happy with where I am, and I'm just trying to control the things I can control. It really doesn't matter where I'm playing, just that I'm playing, and just that I keep my work ethic up and my great attitude. I think things will start to turn around from here on out. I still have to put the work in to make myself better, though, and I think doors will open for me.