Yesterday, I committed to going back to Boise to play for the Idaho Junior Steelheads. I've been talking with my family a lot about what is right for me. This whole juniors process is so stressful, as I'm sure you can imagine, because there is so much uncertainty in everything. Where am I going to be living next year? Who am I going to be playing for? Should I go to this tryout? Should I go to that tryout? What should I be doing right now in terms of looking at schools? Anyway, my decision came down to the fact that I want to go where I will have the best experience, get the best coaching, and have the most fun. I had fun in Idaho last year. And I can't say that I was having fun in Bismarck or New Mexico because I wasn't playing as much as I would've liked; I was unbelievably stressed because I felt like every mistake I made--even in practice--would lead to me sitting on the bench. When I got to Boise, I had a coach who actively worked with me, who told me something to improve upon every time I came to the bench, who helped me learn to think while I play, and who believed in my abilities. I've learned that having a great coach is much more important than playing at the highest level: the contacts he has, the things he can teach me, and the recommendations he can give for me when the time comes are all so important.
When I went to the Under Armour Hockey Showcase, I went to a seminar and heard that you should stay in the same spot until you stop developing. I haven't stopped developing and learning in Idaho, so why would I leave?
I'm so excited about the decision I've made. I'm going back to a place where I know what to expect, and where I know what I will get. I'm going to live with one of my best friends on the team last year. And I'm going to be a big part of a team whose ultimate goal is to win a national championship. After going to nationals last year, we all want to go back there and win it all, and I think we will have a good chance. From what I've heard, there is a good group of guys coming back from the team last year. It's going to be a really fun year, and we're going to have a good team.
When I called my coach to commit, he said he's ecstatic that I'm coming back; he's very excited to keep working with me, and he's looking for me to take a big step next year. The only thing holding me back is myself. I need to take a step next year and use one of my biggest assets: my size. He doesn't want me to be a dirty player; he just wants me to be a player who is harder to play against. I can be that player, but I just need to find that inside of me because I'm the only one who can bring that aggressive side of me out. He said he's been getting a lot of interest from professional teams asking him to come coach for them, so it's good to hear when kids want to come back.
Now that my plans are set, I can really start to focus on working out and preparing myself for next season. It's hard to focus when there are so many options, so many thoughts swirling in my head, causing stress. But now my plans are set, and all I have to do is prepare myself in the best way possible to have a great year next season. I can start setting goals for myself and really hit the weight room with a purpose to make those goals achievable. I want to win a national championship and be one of the best players in the country at the Tier III level. I want people to watch me play and say, "Who the hell is that kid?? And why is he playing Tier III?" I know I'm going back to Idaho for all the right reasons, and I am so excited!
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