I'm pretty hard on myself. I worry about small things a little too much, and I think that's translating into me being kind of hesitant on the ice. I'm definitely getting more comfortable and confident, but I don't think I'm playing hockey like I know I can yet. I know I've made a pretty big jump from high school hockey in Colorado to junior hockey, and I think I'm doing really well with it so far, but I think I can do even better. I still think I'm improving daily, and it's really fun to see and feel myself getting better. I don't think there is a better feeling.
The team participated in No Shave November together. It was fun, but I'm glad it's over. I realized it's a good way to be easier on myself. When I screw up in practice, I can just think, "Hey, don't worry about it. You have a mustache on your face. Lighten up." It sort of helps me laugh at myself even when I'm mad at myself for missing a pass or screwing up in a drill. I think I will probably shave it off though. I'm comfortable enough now at practice that I can shake off the mistakes that I make and learn from them. But I'll remember the mustache trick if I ever need to use it again.
We leave for Fresno, California tomorrow. We play two games against the Monsters, and it's going to be a good test for us because they aren't in our division. I'm excited for the long road trip with the team, and I think my brother's even going to try to make it to at least one of the games because he goes to school at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Good Day
I had a pretty good day of practice. I worked hard. After practice, Coach pulled me aside and showed me some drills he wants me to work on. I was gassed when I was done working with him. It made me realize how much I need to work on my agility and footwork. But I think it's a good thing he's taking time to work with me. I'm going to keep working on the things he showed me over the next few weeks.
I just got done with my second rookie dinner of the year. This one was fun, just like Bismarck's, but it was also much cheaper, which I liked. It only cost me 6 bucks because there are only 4 vets here. But it was fun to go to dinner with the guys--er, I don't know if I can call them that because we all had to dress up like girls--but either way it was fun. There was a fashion show during halftime of the Monday Night Football game, which I didn't win, and I'm happy I didn't win. I take pride in the fact that I don't actually look like a girl when I'm dressed up as one.
But I'm excited to get on the ice again tomorrow. I'm definitely starting to get in a rhythm, and I think it's showing that I'm getting more confident even though I know I still have a lot to work on.
I just got done with my second rookie dinner of the year. This one was fun, just like Bismarck's, but it was also much cheaper, which I liked. It only cost me 6 bucks because there are only 4 vets here. But it was fun to go to dinner with the guys--er, I don't know if I can call them that because we all had to dress up like girls--but either way it was fun. There was a fashion show during halftime of the Monday Night Football game, which I didn't win, and I'm happy I didn't win. I take pride in the fact that I don't actually look like a girl when I'm dressed up as one.
But I'm excited to get on the ice again tomorrow. I'm definitely starting to get in a rhythm, and I think it's showing that I'm getting more confident even though I know I still have a lot to work on.
Control What You Can Control
I didn't play again tonight. We won 8-6 in a pretty wild game. I figured I wasn't going to play again tonight because we won last night, and I didn't think the lineup would change because of that. Still, I was sort of hoping I would. I had my grandparents, parents, and sister here to watch me, and I'm a little bummed I didn't play while they were here. But at the same time, I want to play because I deserve to play, not just because I want to play. They loved being here to see me over Thanksgiving, and it would have been a bonus for them to see me play, but now I have to work this week to try to earn a spot. I'm happy I got to see them, but now I'm ready to get back to work and focus on just hockey.
It is always hard to be a scratch. No one likes it, especially when your team wins. Watching your team win is a little harder than watching your team lose. Of course I'm happy the team won these two games, but it's just natural to wish that I was out there with them. It's definitely hard to prepare to play in games and then hear that you're not playing. It's a major letdown, but that's why I'm going to learn a lesson from this weekend. I want to have a really good week of practice and prove that I can help this team.
I read a book called The Fearless Mind by Craig Manning to sort of help me out with the mental side of all this, and it actually helps a lot. It says, "When we delve into other people's business excessively, we open the door to irrelevant stimuli that only serve to lower our ability to function in productive, efficient ways. This energy would be far better channeled into what we can do to improve our performance...we can only be responsible for what we have control over." I have to only worry about the things I can control. I'm ready to put this weekend behind me and have a good week of practice this week.
It is always hard to be a scratch. No one likes it, especially when your team wins. Watching your team win is a little harder than watching your team lose. Of course I'm happy the team won these two games, but it's just natural to wish that I was out there with them. It's definitely hard to prepare to play in games and then hear that you're not playing. It's a major letdown, but that's why I'm going to learn a lesson from this weekend. I want to have a really good week of practice and prove that I can help this team.
I read a book called The Fearless Mind by Craig Manning to sort of help me out with the mental side of all this, and it actually helps a lot. It says, "When we delve into other people's business excessively, we open the door to irrelevant stimuli that only serve to lower our ability to function in productive, efficient ways. This energy would be far better channeled into what we can do to improve our performance...we can only be responsible for what we have control over." I have to only worry about the things I can control. I'm ready to put this weekend behind me and have a good week of practice this week.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Learning Every Day
I didn't play last night for the military appreciation night. We had camouflage jerseys on, and it was a pretty cool deal. After the game was over, all the game-worn jerseys were auctioned off and all the proceeds went to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. I think we raised about 5,000 dollars, maybe more, because most of the jerseys went for about 300 dollars. One jersey went for $550, but mine only went for $210. But I did get a jersey, which is exciting, and it had my name on it too. We ended up winning the game 4-3. It was a really good game, where I think we had the majority of the chances. It looked like we were going to have another game that we outplay the other team in and lose, but in the 3rd period, we scored 3 goals to win the game 4-3. We never gave up; I just wish I was out there.
But even when I'm not out there, I'm trying to take away as much as I can from the game. I try to put myself in other players' situations, and think about what I would do differently or the same as them, and I try to see what others do wrong, so if I get in the same situation, I can make the right play. I don't pout about not playing because I know it's part of junior hockey to sit out some games, but at the same time, it makes me want to work harder to make Coach want to play me every game.
But even when I'm not out there, I'm trying to take away as much as I can from the game. I try to put myself in other players' situations, and think about what I would do differently or the same as them, and I try to see what others do wrong, so if I get in the same situation, I can make the right play. I don't pout about not playing because I know it's part of junior hockey to sit out some games, but at the same time, it makes me want to work harder to make Coach want to play me every game.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Learning to Battle
Today was a really fun day of practice. We did a lot of battle drills, with one-on-one, two-on-two, and three-on-three competitions. I love these days because every drill keeps me on my toes. And every drill, I have to give it my all or risk being embarrassed in front of the whole team. I think you really see who the competitors are on days like this. I'm learning to battle like I've never had to in my whole hockey career. It's really fun to get out there and compete against my teammates because it gets me ready for game situations, where I have to battle for every inch and for every puck. These days are also good because they bring the team together. We're out there competing against each other, but it's a lot of fun to have competitions between the forwards and defensemen, which, of course, the D-men always win. Defensemen are the better, smarter hockey players after all.
My family's coming into town tonight for Thanksgiving. It should be really fun to see my sister, parents, and grandparents and it should be even more fun to play in front of them. We play the Wichita Falls Wildcats this weekend, and it's our military appreciation weekend, so we're wearing special camouflage uniforms that will be auctioned off after the game on Saturday night. I'm going to try to be a tour guide for my family this weekend, but I'm still pretty new to the area also, so I'll do my best.
On a side note, I got featured in an article here in the local newspaper. The link to it is: http://www.rrobserver.com/sports/article_b78d57fa-f78f-11df-8b60-001cc4c03286.html
After our last game against Corpus Christi, as I was walking into the locker room, a newspaper guy asked me if I was Connor Tedstrom and if he could use some of my blog in an article. I said, "Yeah, sure." I think it's pretty cool. It can't hurt to have people know what I'm going through and to separate myself from that "dumb hockey player" stereotype.
My family's coming into town tonight for Thanksgiving. It should be really fun to see my sister, parents, and grandparents and it should be even more fun to play in front of them. We play the Wichita Falls Wildcats this weekend, and it's our military appreciation weekend, so we're wearing special camouflage uniforms that will be auctioned off after the game on Saturday night. I'm going to try to be a tour guide for my family this weekend, but I'm still pretty new to the area also, so I'll do my best.
On a side note, I got featured in an article here in the local newspaper. The link to it is: http://www.rrobserver.com/sports/article_b78d57fa-f78f-11df-8b60-001cc4c03286.html
After our last game against Corpus Christi, as I was walking into the locker room, a newspaper guy asked me if I was Connor Tedstrom and if he could use some of my blog in an article. I said, "Yeah, sure." I think it's pretty cool. It can't hurt to have people know what I'm going through and to separate myself from that "dumb hockey player" stereotype.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Back At It
We had 3 days off since our last game. The days went by really fast, but it was a good break. I got to see my parents and show them around a little bit on Friday and Saturday. And it was really fun getting to play in front of them and have them meet all the guys on the team after the game. I got to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, which I've been dying to see for months, we did some community service on Saturday for the food drive here in town, and I got to hang out with some of the guys on Sunday and Monday. I didn't really take the days completely off because I still went to the gym with Zach, but I think it was a good break, and now I'm ready to get back on the ice today.
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