Right Back Into It

So we've had on-ice practice for the past two days, and we haven't hesitated to get things going at all. We are right back into it. These last two practices have been very intense. It's been a lot of fun. It's good to get things going right away, and I think our team has responded really well to learning new drills and getting worked hard in practice. Our practices have had a high intensity, but people are also doing drills right and making tape-to-tape passes, which can be unusual this early on in the season. It's a good sign that we're able to do those things now.

The first day of practice was the hardest for me because I think I was still a little run down from the beep test the day before. Also, we did a lot of defense-oriented battle drills, and I think that made me feel even more tired. We did one of our coach's favorite drills for evaluating defensemen. It's called the North Dakota 1-on-1 drill, and it is hard, especially for defensemen because you have to skate backwards at the same speed a forward is skating forwards at full speed, and you can't touch the puck or the forward until a certain point, while maintaining a stick length gap or closer with the forward. I don't know if I did a good job explaining it, but it's essentially a drill that works on gap control, footwork, and composure for defenseman--three very important things for good defensemen to have. At one point during the drill, I felt really lightheaded, and that usually doesn't happen to me. But I battled through, and I think I had a good practice, considering that it was the first day of practice of the year. Everyone is understandably a little rusty, but it'll take some time to get the wheels going again.

Today, I felt a lot better on the ice already. And we had another hard practice. We did a lot of battle drills again, but they're fun because they require all of your concentration. If you let up for a second, you will get beat, and that's what it's like in games. I'm having a lot of fun being back out on the ice because I really like the drills we do. I feel like I could do some of the drills for hours and get better every time, with my active stick, my shot, my gap control, my footwork, or anything else. The drills we do here really push you to think about things while still being in an all-out battle. It's fun! But also tiring. It's fun getting your ass kicked on the ice, though. It feels good to work hard and get tired, but still be able to find another level to perform well in practice.

I will say that I'm noticing a difference this year. I'm not getting told about my mistakes as much as I was last year. That could mean two things: the coaches have given up on me and moved on to help younger kids, or I'm just a lot better than I was last year, and I'm actually doing some things right! I think it's the latter option. I know they haven't given up on me. I think I'm just a much better hockey player, and I know I'm still getting better. It's a good feeling.

After practice today, we had a team outing at a Boise Hawks game, which is a Class A professional baseball team in town. It was fun to be with the guys. And we actually got to do some of the in-between inning games that they have fans participate in...I was in the spud race from first to third base, and I got to be a french fry. It was pretty funny.

But it's been great to be busy with work, hockey, and family life with my new billets! I'm having a blast! I almost have no more time to blog anymore, so sorry if this post seems a little rushed. It's a combination of tiredness and rushing to get to bed so I can make it to work early tomorrow!

First Impressions

Well, we're back on the grind. Today was our first day of "practice." We had off-ice testing from 3 to 5 at Qwest Arena in downtown Boise, and we also had a team meeting where the coaches went through expectations and rules. I think we're going to have a good team. We have a lot of new faces, but I know for sure our coaches are going to put together a good team. They work hard to recruit good players with good character. It was great to see some of the returning vets and meet all the new players, and I think it's going to be really fun to be one of the leaders on the team. In the meeting before the testing, our coaches briefly stated our goals for the season. They said we had a great year last year with a good result at the national tournament, but we're looking to take another step forward this year, and it starts today. That statement and getting our brand new gear (CCM pants, gloves, and helmet) made me so excited to get on the ice tomorrow. I can't express how much I'm looking forward to this year. We got our schedule for September, and we have a few preseason games in Boise and McCall and then our regular season schedule starts in Park City, Utah later on in the month.

They also said there's only one rule for our team this year. They're not going to shove rules down our throats like some other teams do. The one rule is, "Do the right thing." I like it because it's an easy rule for me to follow.

In the actual off-ice testing, I did really well. I was the heaviest on the team, the tallest on the team, and I did the best by far in the beep test, a fitness test where you run 20 meters forward then have to make it back to the starting point before a beep. The beeps get increasingly faster as you go farther in the test. I made it to the 52nd level, so I figured I ran 2080 meters, which is about 1.29 miles, and that's hard when you're continuously increasing your speed with very little rest.

Anyway, I'm really excited for the season to start, to get to know all the new guys, and just to keep learning. It's going to be a great year.

"Hey Dad"

So, I thought I'd just share this funny thing that happened to me while I was skating today. I came off the ice for a drink of water and in the lobby of the rink, a little boy saw me and said, "Hey Dad." It was funny because a) He thought I was his dad, then quickly realized his mistake and b) Last year, my teammates in New Mexico called me Dad, so I actually responded to him calling me that. By the way, the kids in New Mexico called me Dad because of how I looked late at night with my glasses on during road trips, how they thought I was always reading, and always trying to go to bed early. Anyway, I thought it was funny.

Practice Starts in a Week, Goals for Upcoming Season

Official practices start one week from today! I can't wait to get back out there! I've probably said that in every post for a while, but I don't care. I'm excited! I want to keep getting better and get this year started because I have a lot of expectations for myself and for the team this year, and I'm tired of just thinking about it; I want to start doing!

My Team Goals:
1.) Go undefeated at home.
2.) Win our regular season division title.
3.) Repeat as league champions.
4.) Win nationals.

Now, after being on the team last year, I realize that all of these goals are well within reach, and, I think, for all of the returning vets it would be a disappointment if we don't accomplish them. I also realize that for our team to reach these goals, our leaders are going to have to lead, and lead well. I'm up for it. I want to get back to nationals, and I want to win it all this year. But it's not going to happen just because I want it to happen. We're going to have to work hard as a team to get it done.

My Individual Goals:
1.) Commit to a school by the end of December.
2.) Work my way up to the first power play and penalty kill units.
3.) Be a leader on and off the ice.
4.) Score 30 points or more.
5.) Be our team's best defenseman in games and in practice.
6.) Play tough every shift.
7.) Play smart every shift.
8.) Get better every day.
9.) Read as many books as I can. (You might laugh at this one, but it's a legitimate goal. I have to keep my brain active because I will be going to school at this time next year.)
10.) Have more fun than I did last year!

It's always good to make goals to hold yourself accountable during the year. These goals aren't set in stone, but I'm going to hold myself to really high standards this year. I want this to be an awesome year for me, and I'm so ready to meet all the challenges that this season holds and most importantly to have fun.

Hittin' It Hard

My roommate and I have really been hitting it hard the past few days in the gym and on the ice. We've gone to the gym every day this week and skated whenever we can with a few other guys on the team who are in town. It's been really awesome to get settled in, start working, and start getting focused on the upcoming season. We've gone to the gym really focused and ready to work lately. It's not like we go to the gym to talk or babewatch--although there is a little of that, not going to lie--but we go in and tire ourselves out and do meaningful exercises. Two days ago, we did an arm workout, and I told Justin during the workout that my arms didn't feel like they were a part of my body anymore. They felt like they were just floating away from my body because we had worked them so hard. Yesterday, we went to the gym and told ourselves that we were just going to go in and do a short workout, but once we got to the gym, our short workout quickly turned into a 2 hour and 15 minute workout. I can tell already that it's going to be a great year. It's going to be great to have a workout partner who will push me to do better and to work harder, and it will be really fun to live with someone who I like to hang out with and who I have fun with.

Another one of our workout partners who is actually leaving to play for the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in the NAHL in a few days, but who was my D partner here last year, said the other day during a workout, "Tomorrow, if you're not sore, you're a whore." (Sorry for the offensive word--I know there are families reading this--but if you keep reading, you will see the connection to what I'm about to say.) And I've been really sore all week, so I guess I'm doing something right. But I have a feeling that all this hard work we are doing now will have tremendous payout in a few months when we are tearing through this league, on our way to a national championship.

Stayin' Busy

Today, I had my first day of work. I woke up early and drove into downtown Boise to start my job at one of my friend's dad's law firms. My friend is basically showing me the ropes this week, and then he leaves for college, so it'll be all me after that. The work is a little tedious and detailed at times, but I think I will get the hang of it quickly. I was a little overwhelmed today, as I think most people are on the first day of any job, but it's one of those jobs where you have to learn by doing things and asking a lot of questions. After work, my friend's dad took us out to lunch and talked to me a little bit about what the job entails. Basically, I could be doing anything from running errands, to doing filings, to writing depositions, so I just need to be ready for any curveballs he throws at me, and I will be fine. He told me that this job will be a good way for me to decide if I would like to go into law because I will quickly find out what the field is all about. He said I will definitely get tired of the people I work with because that's what happens any time you are working in close quarters with anyone; there's always a little friction. And I even feel that friction sometimes in the hockey locker room because as a team we are together a lot, but, of course, it will be different working in an office environment than it is hanging out with the guys in the locker room.

After getting off of work, I drove out to my coach's house to pick up my roommate's and my gym pass. I got to talk with both my assistant coach and head coach for a little bit. They asked me how I thought I did this weekend, and I told them I think I played well and got better as the weekend went on. Then, I asked how they thought I did, and they thought I played solid all weekend. They called me a "Steady Eddy" and told me that I'm not a flashy defenseman, but I get the job done really well. They said I'm not the kind of player that jumps out at you, that you really have to watch me when I play to appreciate what I do. And I like being that player. I like being the one who makes a pass out of the defensive zone to start an offensive break that leads to a goal. People in the stands might say, "Wow, that was a really great goal," but I know that it was a really great pass or a really great defensive play that created that really great goal. Both of my coaches told me that this is my "20" year, and that I'm developing into a solid defenseman, but they both want me to also take more of a step this year in becoming a leader, a person that the younger kids look up to and a person they can count on to push people in practice to do their best. I told them I can be that guy. Even if I'm not wearing an "A" or a "C" on my jersey, I know I can be a leader on this team in some fashion.

Main Camp Over

This morning we got to sleep in because the final all-star game of the camp was at 12:45. I woke up, got a good breakfast in me, and started getting ready for the game. Before I left the house, my roommate, Justin, asked me what my goals are for the season. I didn't really have to think about it too long because I have been for a while. I want to be a captain on the team, and if not a captain, at least a leader. I think I have the potential to be that kind of impact player that teammates look up to. And I want to be known as the best and smartest defenseman in this league. That doesn't mean I have to be the flashiest or have the most points or be the toughest--I want to be the smartest--and I think that can include little bits and pieces of all the above.

The game today went really well. It was definitely the most high-paced game of the weekend because it was an all-star game with better players. Still, it's a little weird playing with someone you've never played with before, but it makes it easier when your defense partner is at least a little better at playing their position. My team won 2-1, and I think I played my best game of the weekend. I know I can play better, but I'm still excited about how I'm playing this early on in the season because I know I will only continue to get better and better just like last year.

Tomorrow, I start work early in the morning, and I'm really excited!

First Day Back in Boise

I just got done with my second game of the weekend...It feels great to be back out on the ice. And, surprisingly, I'm not as rusty as I thought I'd be. Of course I am a little bit rusty in terms of decision-making and timing, but you can't expect those things to be perfect at the beginning of the season. In the first game, I played very intense and made some great passes from the defensive zone. I had an active stick, and I think I definitely made a big impact on the game even though it's hard playing defense with someone you've never played with before. My coach in the first game was the head coach at Saint Mary's University in Minnesota. He seems like a great guy, and he gave me some good teaching points when I came back to the bench after making a mistake. I had a few good shots and scored on one slap shot from the point. In the second game, my coach was an assistant coach at Michigan Tech University. Again, I made some great passes out of the defensive zone and played a really smart game, where I took short shifts to conserve some energy for the rest of the weekend. I'm excited about the way I'm playing, and it's pretty cool to have some big name scouts here for the weekend. After my game this morning, I listened to some seminars by the Saint Mary's coach and then one by the Northern Michigan University head coach, the Michigan Tech assistant, and a St. Cloud University assistant. They all had some good things to say about junior hockey and what it takes to play Division I and Division III hockey. For those of you who don't know, there is no Division II hockey because if they split it up into 3 divisions, neither Division II nor Division III would have enough teams to be able to field a national tournament.

In off-ice news, I'm all moved in with my family. I'm living with one of my best friends on the team and his family this year, and I can already tell it's going to be really fun. It seems like everyone--from the coaches, to the equipment managers, to the returning players--is excited to have me back this year, and I can't wait to start the season in a few weeks!!

Heading to the land of potatoes!

Off to Boise Tomorrow

There's been a change in plans...I was supposed to fly out for Boise on Friday night after my last day of work at the hockey camp in Vail, but I've decided to drive up there on Thursday night instead. I asked if it was OK for me to skip my last day of the hockey camp, and it wasn't a problem. This is the best option for me because now I will have a car up there, and my mom won't have to drive it up to me at a later date. I decided I need a car this year because I got a job for the year in Boise! And I got elected Corresponding Secretary for the Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Club, which is the water ski team I'm on in Wisconsin in the summers. I'm going to be staying busy this year, and I'm so excited! Excitement pretty much sums up my emotions right now. I'm excited to get the season going, to see all my buddies up in Boise, to start working, to see what the year holds, and to keep becoming a better, smarter hockey player! More posts to come during the weekend!

Camp Coming Up!

I'm back in Colorado, but I leave here in less than a week for Boise! Main camp for the Idaho Junior Steelheads starts on Friday and goes throughout the weekend. I'm so ready to get the season going. I'm in good shape, and I'm feeling confident. This season is going to be a lot of fun, and I'm ready to get to work! Unfortunately, I have to miss the first day of camp because I signed up to work a youth hockey camp here in Vail this week before I knew when main camp was. My coach has told me it's not a big deal that I'm missing the first day, but there will be a few Division I and Division III scouts coming to Boise for the camp, so it's a good thing I will be able to be on the ice every day this week, working the camp. I can get my hockey legs back a little bit before I head to Boise on Friday night. I've been working hard off the ice--running, lifting, stick handling--but I haven't been able to get on the ice as much as I would like recently. I think this is a good and bad thing because I will be hungry to get back out on the ice to practice every day when I get to Boise, but I might not be in tip-top hockey shape yet for main camp. It's understandable that I won't be in my best hockey shape yet--and I don't think I will be the only one--because it's the early season, and, as I've said before, I tried to let myself get away from hockey a little bit this summer after such a grueling season. But I'm feeling refreshed and hungry to get the season rolling. It's also definitely tough to mimic the actual intensity of a game in the summer when I'm basically skating in adult leagues and by myself at stick and puck sessions. But my hockey legs will come back fast. I know I will do great next weekend because I've worked hard this summer and because I'm truly excited to get things going again.