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.

Season Coming Up Fast

Believe it or not, my season starts in a little over two weeks! This summer really has flown by, but it's been great to be with family and friends for a little while. I'm so excited for the season to start, but I'm also a little nervous. I'm going to be one of the go-to guys on the team next year, which is something I relish, but it's also a lot of responsibility. I'm up to the challenge. It's definitely a good nervous feeling. And I don't know if I would actually call it nervousness. Maybe it's more of an anxious feeling, to get back on the ice and get things rolling. I have high expectations for this year, and I don't think I'm the only one. My coach has challenged me to take some big steps and become a physical force on the ice, like he knows I can be. I want to be a shut-down defenseman, but also a weapon on the offensive side of the ice with my shot.

Although some people may think I'm taking the easy way out by staying and playing at the Tier III level with a coach I know and like, I have news for you: I am not staying in Boise because it's the easiest option. I know the level of perfection that the coaches in Boise demand, and I know the standard at which they hold all of their players. This season is not going to be easy, and in no way am I expecting it to be easy. I'm ready to work even harder than I did last year to keep improving and accomplish my goals, and I'm excited to take on new challenges that any new season holds and be a difference-maker and leader this year. Last year, I was the wide-eyed rookie who looked up to all the wily vets. When they turned up their level of play, I had no choice but to do the same. I know I'll be in a whole different role this year as one of those wily vets, and I'm ready to grasp it and make the most of it because in a blink, this season will be over. I don't want to look back and say I could've done more.

So, some people might guffaw at my choice to stay and play in the Western States Hockey League. But again, it comes down to what I think is the right move for me. It really doesn't matter what other people think because I'm the only one who can decide what's right for me. We are going to have a very good team. I think it's a good sign that teams in the NAHL that we were trying to scrimmage next season don't want to play us, probably because they'd be too embarrassed when a team in the WSHL--what league is that?--beats them.

I've really enjoyed this summer; I've been up in Wisconsin for the past few weeks, water skiing with the Min-Aqua Bats, but I've also continued to work hard off the ice, in the weight room, and on the ice to stay in shape for this season. I pretty much work out every day and skate whenever I can, although I think it is good to give myself a little break during the summer, seeing as pretty soon I will be on the ice 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week. Don't get me wrong, though. Hockey is always on my mind. I'm always thinking about what I can do to get ready for this season, whether it's going on runs, doing agility footwork, getting on the ice, or going to the gym at the local high school here. There are some pro guys and quite a few junior players up here always looking for ice as well, so it's been fun to get out and skate with them. Those skates are hard work, but a blast. It's so cool to practice with NHL players! I'm excited to get the ball rolling here pretty soon. These next two weeks are going to go by fast, and I'll be back in Boise before I know it!