My name is Connor Tedstrom. I played high school hockey in Colorado for 4 years, and during my senior year, I decided I wanted to pursue playing junior hockey and Division I college hockey. This is the story of going from Colorado High School Hockey to junior hockey from my perspective: my thoughts, experiences, and lessons learned along the way.

Monday, August 15, 2011

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.

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