Survival

For my first post, I want to give some background on how I arrived where I am today and what it takes to perpetuate a career in hockey. I don’t have as flashy of a playing resume as some, but have managed to carve out a 10 year playing career with a great deal of personal and team success. I’ve had stops in the ECHL, AHL, NHL (Black Ace for Buffalo), and I'm happy to now call Europe home. 

I am certain of one thing; a lengthy career doesn't happen by accident.
Pro hockey careers are about survival…
and I’m still battling. 

Looking at the contracts of NHL stars like Lundqvist or Price, it is easy to recognize their career length and job security. I have nothing but admiration and respect for these guys and the consistency in their compete level but the reality for the majority of us is that we are battling season to season in hopes of earning that next contract. 

Being an import player in Europe adds to that pressure because mediocrity is not allowed. One must produce at a high level because there are players waiting for their chance that will. In the past, I have seen guys in European leagues with NHL games on their resume who have been released after a slow start to a season. Keeping one’s game at a high level is a continual learning curve. The game is always changing; one must adapt right along with it.
 

How does one handle pressure and expectations?

PREPARATION FEEDS CONFIDENCE

CONFIDENCE FEEDS CONSISTENCY

CONSISTENCY FEEDS SUCCESS

When I plan for my summer training, I clearly define what my goals are for the upcoming season. I am honest about where I can improve on and off the ice. Then, I schedule my summer accordingly to allow myself the time that I need for training and goalie sessions. To make a career of this, improving everyday has to be first priority. It can make for a lonely social life but to be elite requires a lifestyle choice that is too difficult for the average person to understand. 

WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS
SCHEDULE YOUR LIFE TO WORK TOWARDS THEM EVERY DAY
BE RELENTLESS IN YOUR PURSUIT TO ATTAIN THEM

The hard part of committing yourself to a sport or other personal endeavor is staying on course when you face a multitude of adversities. When things are going great, it’s easy to be confident but when the game punches you in the mouth and you’re on your heels… that’s when the character of an individual is revealed. 

For example:
You worked hard all week in practice to be ready for a big game. During the game you don’t perform well, or get pulled. What do you do? 
I’ve seen pros handle a similar situation by acknowledging their personal underperformance (to the press, team, or themselves), say they will be better with the next opportunity, and then show up prepared and ready for the next practice. They get back to the process of development and trust in it completely.

My coach in junior used Joe Sakic as an example quite frequently. He said, 

“You know why Joe Sakic is a special player?
Because he’s the best guy on the ice on Monday.” 

This means that even when he had hard days at the rink and he felt he didn’t have it, he found a will and way to get better. If you can work to get close to your full potential even when you don’t feel like it, then you have what it takes to survive in pro hockey. 

-JP-