Pre-game Rituals in Hockey

What do you do for pre-game?

Ice hockey is a very mental sport, so lots of players want the day of a game to happen a certain way. Many of them have developed rituals, which they must do before playing the game.

I myself always put the skate furthest away from me on first, and tie my skates twice. I also attempt to pee, in every period break. When we huddle before the game in front of the net, I hit the left post twice with my stick, and skate around the net.

 Before coming to the dressing room I try not to think too much about the game and relax a bit. I actually like to play some video games before leaving to totally take my mind off of things. I make sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day, and eat around 4 hours before the game starts. If I’m tired I will also try to take a 30 min nap around 1 or 2.

I have heard some very funny, and weird rituals. I’m going to list a few of the ice hockey ones. I might make a post, about other sports too later.

Ovechkin has said to the press, that he likes having sex before games. It simply makes him play better. The results don’t lie though, so this might be something to look into. Certainly one of the more enjoyable rituals out there.

Bruce Gardiner Is said to have started dunking his stick into a toilet after having a scoring drought. It worked the first time, and he has been doing it ever since. He got this tip from one of his teammates to show humility to his stick.

Tim Thomas likes to eat a cheeseburger the day before a game. Hence one of his nick names being Cheeseburger

Maybe the Cheesburgers are the victims in his success

Patrick Roy has admitted to ignore the pregame national anthem, and focus on shrinking the goal using his mind. This crazy goalie, talked to his goal posts, saying thank you, whenever a puck would hit them.

Feel free to comment on what you like to do for pregame!

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The World Of Sticks

What stick do you prefer?

In the hockey world today, allot of different brands are emerging, and the amount of sticks, models, curves you can have is amazing. Growing up my parents had their own shop, so i basically had a free pick for what stick I wanted to use. First i tried out some different brands, but eventually i turned to Easton, and didn’t change until i was forced to play with Ccm.

My favorite stick is the Easton se16, I’ve used this model for a long time, but recently i have had to change because of the contract i signed. I am forced to play with ccm shafts, which I don’t enjoy at all, but I get by. Its all a matter of getting used to something, it can be hard though considering I’ve played with the best sticks possible all of my life.

I have always used the Sakic curve, which now is hall after Easton changed it. In Ccm I use 19.

I think that the best looking stick at the moment is the white Mako, made by Easton again. The white look is fairly new and I think you really notice when people are using them on the ice. I think that the Warrior sticks have a cool design too, but I have never tried them. Though sometimes their design is a bit too much rice.

I have just always felt that Easton stick feel natural in your hands, like an addition to your body. Light, but not too light. The only problem for me with the Easton sticks is that they break very often, and are some of the most expensive sticks out there. I guess you pay for quality. Luckily I could just get them from my parents. In a way I wish my parent hadn’t spoilt me with the sticks, so my transition to the shafts would have been easier.

What sticks do you prefer, shaft or one piece? Leave a comment, and be sure to explain why and don’t worry about getting specific!

The Love of The Game

Why do you love hockey?

I love hockey, and I think it’s the greatest game in the world. The thrill of playing an important game, in front of an amazing crowd. Making the difference for your team, when scoring that game-winning goal. For me ice hockey is like meditation, when I’m on the ice, I’m in my ace. Nothing else is going through my mind but scoring that goal, making the pass, or blocking a stone hard slap shot headed towards the net. I feel unstoppable.

To be a professional you have to make sacrifices, but I definitely thought mine were worth it. Sure I missed some parties when I was younger, and didn’t go out a lot. But I get to stand on the ice doing what I love to do, with lots of fans backing me up, even get pay for it!

Ice hockey gives you feelings, that don’t come very often in a lifetime. The feeling a winning a championship is indescribable. Lifting that trophy, after giving everything you got, and making all the sacrifices is amazing.

Think sid is happy?

Where I’m playing right now, they say that an athlete needs to invest about 10000 hours to go pro. Though time isn’t enough, you also need talent and luck. Being good at the right moments could make or break your career.

The willpower to get up, after you have been knocked down is also very important, both on and off the ice. Being able to work on things yourself, when people aren’t watching.

You miss all of the shots you don’t take. You can’t make it if you don’t believe in yourself.

The good thing about ice hockey is you can walk onto a new team, and instantly have 20 new friends. It really makes up for the time you cant spend with your buddies from school. The team becomes your family.

Ice hockey is a great sport and I recommend it to everyone, try it! It might take some time to get started, but it’s definitely worth it just for the experience alone. Hey, some day you might even go pro and who doesn’t want to live that life of glory?

The Home Of Hockey

Welcome to the home of hockey!

Ice hockey is an amazing sport, and I thought I would share my love, through this blog. I am a professional player, trying to make ice hockey my living. Through this blog I will share opinions on the happenings in the N.H.L, occasionally other leagues throughout the world too. I will also write some of my own picks for betting, and explain why.

I am a Canadian living in Europe. My dad played pro hockey in Finland and Sweden, which is why we still are living here. I grew up playing hockey, watching hockey, and living the hockey life. Was an average player in the small ages, but started blooming around 15, now I am 17 and actually making money off of my sport, not a lot but it is still great to get paid for something you love.

I enjoy the Canadian style of hockey. The hits. The fights. The grit. The glory. Though I don’t mind seeing, or making some beautiful, technical and well strategized plays.

Must be the best feeling in the world

I personally don’t have a specific favorite team, as a kid though I would always root for the Dallas Stars, because of my first name, which oddly enough is also Dallas. Last year I was rooting for the Rangers, but look how that went!

I think the N.H.L is in a dangerous state right now, verging a lockout. Though I would enjoy seeing some great players over in Europe instead. Very interesting to see that the Swedish elite have announced they did not want any N.H.L players in the league. This might mean some more players in lower leagues, or the European players not from Sweden, playing for their hometown teams. I might write about this in detail in another post.

This is it for The Home Of Hockey, be sure to follow my upcoming posts!