Challenge: Accepted

I think a lot of times (maybe all of the time) coaches play mind games with their players. I've heard people liken athletes to chess pieces and coaches are the players, constantly moving their pieces around to give them the best opportunity to win. It's pretty cool to be around that and to learn how different coaches handle different and similar situations. I'm weird like that, and I notice and keep track of everything going on around me, trying to learn as best as I can.

Yesterday, I was challenged. Challenged to be more physical, to be harder to play against. Coach told me there is a saying that scouts have: "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane." I don't want to be that guy. Now that I have my positional play down, it's time for me to elevate my game in another way. I can be a physical presence, but it's not something that comes naturally for me. I have to think about it. And the way Coach approached me yesterday makes me want to show him what I can do when I play gritty, like he wants me to.

Today, I came to practice to redeem myself. I had a very bad practice yesterday, and I was thinking about how I wanted to practice all last night and today. I was not happy with myself after practice yesterday. I think I had a really good practice today, though, and that's how I need to come to the rink every day: ready to practice. In the first drill, I finished a check in the corner and Coach was right there. I was kind of saying, "F you, I can play mean when I want to." And I think that's exactly the reaction he wanted from me and the reaction he wants to continue to see going into next week and from here on out in my career. Sometimes I play too nice, and I need a little help from someone to get a reaction out of me. But when my coach tells me to do something, I do it. I am the most obedient chess piece out there. I skated past him and he yelled, "Attaboy Teddy! Play like a big, mean, sonuvabitch!" Sorry, Mom. I'm not the son of a bitch, but I need to start playing like one. I was finishing checks all the rest of practice, and that's how I need to continue to play. I need to be tough to play against. I want people to regret coming into my corner, so they think about that all game, instead of what they need to do on the ice.

I need to accept the challenge put to me. Play more physical. Stop being a teddy bear all the time. I can be a teddy bear off the ice. I wore this shirt today for inspiration. It might've worked, but now I need to bring this attitude to the rink with me every day.