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!