It's an exciting time here at The Puck Stops Here. Wednesday August 15th marked our one year anniversary. I have officially been writing for 1 whole year, time has flown by and I am honestly amazed looking back over the past year. Considering my age and experience or lack there of what I have been able to accomplish is remarkable. The Puck Stops Here has passed over 22,000 hits here on this current blog.
But it's time to focus on making The Puck Stops Here into it's own brand and getting it out into the public eye. That is why I have opted to move the blog from where it is now and continue writing the blog under SportsRantz. This gives me the opportunity to write on the phenomenal word press system and should make life easier for both reader and writer. The best part about writing under SportsRantz is I'm writing solely for The Puck Stops Here. This is a chance to branch out and reach more people.
Here is the link/URL to my new site ----> The Puck Stops Here
It's been a fantastic year of writing and debating topics with you awesome readers. I can't wait to see what unfolds in year 2.
Once again I can't thank you enough for all your support on this journey!
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Players Thoughts On A Lockout
The invention of twitter has been great for hockey fans. It allows fans to share their thoughts on teams, players and gives them an opportunity to meet other hockey fans. But lately NHL players are starting to use twitter to update and stay in touch with their fans. Every so often fans get lucky and NHL players will tweet what is on their mind. With NHL commissioner Gary Bettman talking about a possible lockout both fans and players are up in arms and lucky for us some players have taken to twitter to express their feelings.
*Listed below are tweets directly from NHL players*
Here's three things to take away from the tweets:
1. The majority of players are upset over the fact their side (the NHLPA) hasn't even submitted a counteroffer to the league and already Bettman is talking about a lockout. If anything the September 15th deadline should come as a wake up call to players. The players and Donald Fehr need to stop monkeying around and submit their side. Is it fair to talk about a lockout without hearing both sides? Not really, but considering how long the players are taking something needed to be said.
2. The players genuinely don't want a lockout. Take away all the money and endorsement deals, when it comes down to it the players are playing the game because they love it. Sure money can get in the way of that, but if they didn't love the game they wouldn't be in the NHL. The players aren't exactly dumb, they know another lockout would really hurt the game and the fans. A third lockout in 17 could turn a lot of fans away from the game, some may not come back.
At the end of the day the players just want to play hockey. Sure they need to make money for their families, but playing is the most important thing. But because of the two sides trying to hammer out a new CBA, they players don't have much of a voice. Unless Fehr gets a deal he likes out of Bettman chances are the lockout will drag on, no matter what the players say.
3. The players have a lot of hostility towards Bettman. Sure he is their antagonist trying to lower their pay and keeping them out of the game. But you have to think, if it wasn't up to the NHL owners maybe Bettman would have been fired by now..
*Listed below are tweets directly from NHL players*
The@nhl says they won’t play past Sept 15th under current deal. Apparently they don’t like the deal they designed.#CBA#nhlpa2012
— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) August 10, 2012
Sad to see Bettman bring up the words LOCKOUT, it was tough on everyone staff, arena people, and the FANS in 2004. The game is to Good!
— Steve Ott (@otter2nine) August 9, 2012
Disappointed the League is talking about a lockout before we even give our@nhlpa counterproposal.#theplayers
— Brandon Prust (@BrandonPrust8) August 10, 2012
Still training hard for the season ahead. Hope Gary Bettman wasn't serious about a lockout.#theplayers@nhlpa
— Michael Cammalleri (@MCammalleri13) August 10, 2012
A lockout is only one option and never a solution#fansdeservebetter#theplayers@nhlpa
— daniel winnik (@Danwinnik34) August 10, 2012
The word lockout should be mentioned on Sept 15 and then only. Plenty of time for a solution. Seems like Gary is eager for the "hat-trick".
— Joffrey Lupul (@JLupul) August 10, 2012
Tough hearing the word lockout. Players just want what's fair.There you have it, straight from the horses mouth. Players thoughts on the lockout, while this is just a small sample of players one could only imagine many are feeling the same way... fed up!#NHLPA#theplayers
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) August 11, 2012
Here's three things to take away from the tweets:
1. The majority of players are upset over the fact their side (the NHLPA) hasn't even submitted a counteroffer to the league and already Bettman is talking about a lockout. If anything the September 15th deadline should come as a wake up call to players. The players and Donald Fehr need to stop monkeying around and submit their side. Is it fair to talk about a lockout without hearing both sides? Not really, but considering how long the players are taking something needed to be said.2. The players genuinely don't want a lockout. Take away all the money and endorsement deals, when it comes down to it the players are playing the game because they love it. Sure money can get in the way of that, but if they didn't love the game they wouldn't be in the NHL. The players aren't exactly dumb, they know another lockout would really hurt the game and the fans. A third lockout in 17 could turn a lot of fans away from the game, some may not come back.
At the end of the day the players just want to play hockey. Sure they need to make money for their families, but playing is the most important thing. But because of the two sides trying to hammer out a new CBA, they players don't have much of a voice. Unless Fehr gets a deal he likes out of Bettman chances are the lockout will drag on, no matter what the players say.
3. The players have a lot of hostility towards Bettman. Sure he is their antagonist trying to lower their pay and keeping them out of the game. But you have to think, if it wasn't up to the NHL owners maybe Bettman would have been fired by now..
Friday, 10 August 2012
Life Without Hockey
Gary Bettman announced to the media Thursday, that he fully intends to lock the players out if there is no deal reached by September 15th. Looks like a long offseason may become much longer.
"Time is running short and the owners are not prepared to operate under this collective bargaining agreement for another season, so we need to get to making a deal and doing it soon," ~ Gary Bettman
Bettman's comments come after his counterpart NHLPA leader Donald Fehr had said the players were willing to go into training camps without a deal by September 15th. Clearly Bettman has a different idea.
Bettman's comments will do one of two things. One way to look at the comments is as Bettman trying to light a fire under the NHLPA. The league and owners submitted their idea for the CBA to the NHLPA weeks ago, but the NHLPA has yet to submit their counterproposal to the league. The September 15th deadline leaves just 5 weeks for the two sides to hammer out a deal and with the NHLPA expected to submit their offer on Tuesday hopefully the two sides will be eager to make a deal. Bettman was obviously not happy with how long Fehr was taking visiting players in Russia and around the world, so he decided enough is enough. Either submit your counter offer or be ready for a lockout.
The other thing that could happen is obvious, five weeks isn't enough time for the two sides to fix out all the "kinks" in a new deal. Therefore if one side is unwilling to back down we WILL see a lockout. With the September 15th deadline talks must happen quickly and swiftly in order for a deal to get done, the slightest hiccup or resistance from one side will result in missing the deadline.
Hopefully for hockey fans it's the first option that happens. Fehr and the players feel the fire lit under them and are eager to get a deal done.
It is odd however that Bettman would come out and firmly state they meet the deadline or no hockey as another lockout would only further tarnish his reputation. If the 2012-2013 season does begin with a lockout, it will be the third lockout under the leadership of Bettman. 3 lockouts in 17 years, not exactly a great legacy.
But what worries me most (and should worry you too) is not who's right, because frankly their both rich and greedy men who don't want to back down. But the worst part of the impending lockout is the NHL's reputation. Sure there are some die hard hockey fans that will be sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for the league to come back, but what about all the fringe fans or the fans we lost in the last lockout? The majority of people are just going to move on and find other things to watch and do while the NHL is on strike, but who says they'll come back?
The NHL still has not recovered from the last lockout. Lot's of fans stopped watching and caring about hockey. What turns a lot of people off is the fact that the league owners and the players are already millionaires yet they still want more money. Heck that even turns me off! Why do millionaires need to fight over more money, just play the game you're payed millions to play!
If Bettman sticks to his "deadline" and there is a lockout, the NHL will lose millions of fans who may never come back.
Let's use the Toronto Maple Leafs as a prime example. It's been 8 years since the Leafs were last in the playoffs. There is now a whole generation of Leafs fans that haven't seen or don't remember them being in the playoffs. Pretty soon young kids will not want to support the Leafs. With another lockout it will become 9 years (7 seasons) which means kids that are 12-15 won't remember the Leafs in the playoffs. Who want's to cheer for a team that to their memory hasn't made the playoffs?
Hockey in America is already struggling. The majority of Americans would rather watch football or basketball before hockey on any given day. Take away the third option they're still left with football and basketball which they prefer anyways. If you take away hockey all together people are going to lose interest in the sport. What kind of professional league has 3 lockouts in 17 years?!?
The sad thing, there is really no need for a lockout. It shouldn't be this difficult for two sides to come together and workout a new agreement. The players got tired of being pushed around by Bettman, as a result they hired one of the toughest negotiators in sports. Now we have two power hungry men who don't want to backdown and as a result innocent fans are going to get hurt.
While I'd like to remain optimistic about a deal getting down, it's not looking good. Week by week the chances of the 2012-2013 season starting on time are slipping away, hopefully if they don't start on time they will at least start.
Fans take advantage of the lack of professional hockey and head down to watch your local AHL, OHL, CHL or junior team so you can see players who actually play for the love of the game!
Bettman's comments come after his counterpart NHLPA leader Donald Fehr had said the players were willing to go into training camps without a deal by September 15th. Clearly Bettman has a different idea.
Bettman's comments will do one of two things. One way to look at the comments is as Bettman trying to light a fire under the NHLPA. The league and owners submitted their idea for the CBA to the NHLPA weeks ago, but the NHLPA has yet to submit their counterproposal to the league. The September 15th deadline leaves just 5 weeks for the two sides to hammer out a deal and with the NHLPA expected to submit their offer on Tuesday hopefully the two sides will be eager to make a deal. Bettman was obviously not happy with how long Fehr was taking visiting players in Russia and around the world, so he decided enough is enough. Either submit your counter offer or be ready for a lockout.
The other thing that could happen is obvious, five weeks isn't enough time for the two sides to fix out all the "kinks" in a new deal. Therefore if one side is unwilling to back down we WILL see a lockout. With the September 15th deadline talks must happen quickly and swiftly in order for a deal to get done, the slightest hiccup or resistance from one side will result in missing the deadline.
Hopefully for hockey fans it's the first option that happens. Fehr and the players feel the fire lit under them and are eager to get a deal done.
It is odd however that Bettman would come out and firmly state they meet the deadline or no hockey as another lockout would only further tarnish his reputation. If the 2012-2013 season does begin with a lockout, it will be the third lockout under the leadership of Bettman. 3 lockouts in 17 years, not exactly a great legacy.
But what worries me most (and should worry you too) is not who's right, because frankly their both rich and greedy men who don't want to back down. But the worst part of the impending lockout is the NHL's reputation. Sure there are some die hard hockey fans that will be sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for the league to come back, but what about all the fringe fans or the fans we lost in the last lockout? The majority of people are just going to move on and find other things to watch and do while the NHL is on strike, but who says they'll come back?
The NHL still has not recovered from the last lockout. Lot's of fans stopped watching and caring about hockey. What turns a lot of people off is the fact that the league owners and the players are already millionaires yet they still want more money. Heck that even turns me off! Why do millionaires need to fight over more money, just play the game you're payed millions to play!
If Bettman sticks to his "deadline" and there is a lockout, the NHL will lose millions of fans who may never come back.
Let's use the Toronto Maple Leafs as a prime example. It's been 8 years since the Leafs were last in the playoffs. There is now a whole generation of Leafs fans that haven't seen or don't remember them being in the playoffs. Pretty soon young kids will not want to support the Leafs. With another lockout it will become 9 years (7 seasons) which means kids that are 12-15 won't remember the Leafs in the playoffs. Who want's to cheer for a team that to their memory hasn't made the playoffs?
Hockey in America is already struggling. The majority of Americans would rather watch football or basketball before hockey on any given day. Take away the third option they're still left with football and basketball which they prefer anyways. If you take away hockey all together people are going to lose interest in the sport. What kind of professional league has 3 lockouts in 17 years?!?
The sad thing, there is really no need for a lockout. It shouldn't be this difficult for two sides to come together and workout a new agreement. The players got tired of being pushed around by Bettman, as a result they hired one of the toughest negotiators in sports. Now we have two power hungry men who don't want to backdown and as a result innocent fans are going to get hurt.
While I'd like to remain optimistic about a deal getting down, it's not looking good. Week by week the chances of the 2012-2013 season starting on time are slipping away, hopefully if they don't start on time they will at least start.
Fans take advantage of the lack of professional hockey and head down to watch your local AHL, OHL, CHL or junior team so you can see players who actually play for the love of the game!
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Canada vs. Russia
How big was the 1972 Summit Series? Big enough that Hockey Canada and Russia have teamed up to do it again, just with junior players. This years Canada-Russia Challenge will be extra significant as it's the 40th anniversary of the original series. But it will also be a time to honour the memory of the Russian team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl that passed away in a horrific plane crash.
The Canadian and Russian junior teams will take part in a 4 game mini series. The first two games will take place in Russia and the series will conclude in Halifax Nova Scotia. The series will kick off Thursday August 9th from Russia.
For Canada this series is crucial as this will be the final step in narrowing down a 22 man roster for the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships, which will also take place in Russia. Canada is going into the series with 28 players, seven of which won bronze at the 2012 World Juniors. For many players it will be there last and best chance of making an impression on the coaching staff. Let's take a look at the key players for team Canada.
Canada
Mark Scheifele
The Winnipeg Jets first round pick from 2011 will be looking for a big performance in this years challenge. He almost made the Jets roster full time last season, but he was sent down at the end of his 7 games. Scheifele participated int he 2012 World Junior championship but didn't really stand out. Not only will he be looking to make an impression on team Canada he'll also be hoping to make the leap to the NHL next season.
Ryan Strome
Strome was the 5th overall pick in the 2011 draft and was a member of the bronze winning junior team from last year. He'll be expected to be one of the leaders in the challenge against Russia.
Jonathan Huberdeau
Huberdeau was the third overall pick in the 2011 draft and was apart of the junior team that won bronze and will be among the core players expected to lead the way against Russia.
Tom Wilson
Wilson is the lone forward from the 2012 NHL Entry draft that will be representing Canada in the challenge. The Washington Capitals selected him 16th overall. Wilson will be expected to bring grit to the roster.
Defence
Ryan Murray
Murray has to be one of the most anxious players to get back on the ice and prove to the coaching staff that he belongs at the 2013 World Junior Championship. During last years junior championship the coaching staff asked Murray to change his game slightly, he panicked and went overboard and became to defensive minded. As a result he had a miserable tournament including deflecting two goals into his own net and wiping out his own goaltender. Murray is ready to get back to his game during the Russia challenge and prove he belongs.
Dougie Hamilton
Possibly the best defenceman Canada has going into this challenge. The Boston Bruins drafted him 9th overall in 2011 and he could become the first defenceman from that draft to break into the NHL next season. He's had three phenomenal years in the OHL with the Niagara Ice Dogs where he racked up 146 points. He also won the OHL's most outstanding defenceman award last season for his play with the Ice Dogs. Hamilton is one of seven returning from the 2012 bronze medal winning junior team. He'll be relied on heavily to lead the blue line.
Cody Ceci Griffin Reinhart
Ceci and Reinhart were both first round draft picks from the 2012 Draft. Both will be looking to have impressive debuts against Russia.
Goalies
Malcolm Subban and Laurent Brossoit
Canada has yet to announce who their starting goaltender for the tournament will be, but the battle is between Subban and Brossoit. Canada may split the games evenly at two each but if one goalie were to get the edge it will likely be Subban.
The Canadian and Russian junior teams will take part in a 4 game mini series. The first two games will take place in Russia and the series will conclude in Halifax Nova Scotia. The series will kick off Thursday August 9th from Russia.
For Canada this series is crucial as this will be the final step in narrowing down a 22 man roster for the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships, which will also take place in Russia. Canada is going into the series with 28 players, seven of which won bronze at the 2012 World Juniors. For many players it will be there last and best chance of making an impression on the coaching staff. Let's take a look at the key players for team Canada.
Canada
Mark Scheifele
The Winnipeg Jets first round pick from 2011 will be looking for a big performance in this years challenge. He almost made the Jets roster full time last season, but he was sent down at the end of his 7 games. Scheifele participated int he 2012 World Junior championship but didn't really stand out. Not only will he be looking to make an impression on team Canada he'll also be hoping to make the leap to the NHL next season.Ryan Strome
Strome was the 5th overall pick in the 2011 draft and was a member of the bronze winning junior team from last year. He'll be expected to be one of the leaders in the challenge against Russia.
Jonathan Huberdeau
Huberdeau was the third overall pick in the 2011 draft and was apart of the junior team that won bronze and will be among the core players expected to lead the way against Russia.
Tom Wilson
Wilson is the lone forward from the 2012 NHL Entry draft that will be representing Canada in the challenge. The Washington Capitals selected him 16th overall. Wilson will be expected to bring grit to the roster.
Defence
Ryan Murray
Murray has to be one of the most anxious players to get back on the ice and prove to the coaching staff that he belongs at the 2013 World Junior Championship. During last years junior championship the coaching staff asked Murray to change his game slightly, he panicked and went overboard and became to defensive minded. As a result he had a miserable tournament including deflecting two goals into his own net and wiping out his own goaltender. Murray is ready to get back to his game during the Russia challenge and prove he belongs.
Dougie Hamilton
Cody Ceci Griffin Reinhart
Ceci and Reinhart were both first round draft picks from the 2012 Draft. Both will be looking to have impressive debuts against Russia.
Goalies
Malcolm Subban and Laurent Brossoit
Canada has yet to announce who their starting goaltender for the tournament will be, but the battle is between Subban and Brossoit. Canada may split the games evenly at two each but if one goalie were to get the edge it will likely be Subban.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Not Easy To Call It Quits
The toughest thing for a hockey player to do is hang up the skates and walk away from the game they love. It is becoming more and more frequent to see a player sticking around into their late 30's or early 40's. The scary thing is with the education about health, fitness and nutrition players today have we may see players playing into their 50's in the future. If players are able to keep their bodies in top shape, why stop?
On Tuesday it was announced long time Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson would be returning for at least one more season. There was talk that last season would be Alfredsson's last year in the NHL, but he's decided he's ready for one more.
He holds team records in goals (416), assists (666) and points (1,082). But his value to the Senators goes well beyond the scoreboard. He helped mentor Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and played a huge part in developing Jason Spezza's game. He's been in the league so long he's experienced almost everything, so he's able to give advice and leadership to younger players.
Alfredsson joins the elite group of players to continue playing in their 40's. (He will be 40 in December). Other players in the same category include Teemu Selanne, Jaromir Jagr and Martin Brodeur.
Who inspired players to play for so long? Obviously there have been many trend setter who have played into their "later years", Gretzky played until he was 38 or how about Chris Chelios who played until he was 48! But I believe the real trend setter was Gary Roberts who played until he was 43. Roberts initially retired at age 30 but returned the following season to play 12 more seasons. How did he do it? By taking care of his body. He ate the proper foods, trained hard and most importantly listened to his body when it cried "uncle". Roberts knew when give his body a rest and when to push it to it's limits. Through his 22 seasons he single handily changed the way players think about the game. Why not play till your 40? If you have the proper resources why not take proper care of your body?
While Roberts is not playing in the NHL anymore he is still training and eating the proper way. A major factor in performance is food, if you eat the right stuff you're good to go.
In honour of Alfredsson coming back for another season, I've compiled a list of three reasons why it's so difficult for players to walk away from the game.
1. Money
When the players stop playing they stop making millions of dollars every year. While it's nice and dandy for players to sign a 10 year deal in which they make $10 million each year, once those 10 years are up and they stop playing that comfy $10 million stops rolling in. While it may be tough to think of someone blowing $100 million, it's a reality for a lot of NHL players. During their careers they spend money on big houses, fancy cars and all the latest gadgets and are able to do so because they're getting more money next season. But once the money stops coming in it becomes more and more difficult to stop spending the money even though it's not being replenished.
Hockey players usually don't have a high level of education. Some players enter the NHL right out of high school, while others do a year or two of college. What job would they be able to get after their hockey careers? Whatever job they get it wont pay nearly as well as the NHL.
2. "The Boys"
I know that sounds like a silly saying, but it's a very common saying in junior and minor hockey. The players always talk about hanging out with "the boys" or how they'd do anything for "the boys". It's no different in the NHL. The players are even closer, they travel together, work together, fight for each other and many even live together. On hockey team everyone has their tight nit group of "boys" they hang out with on road trips and even on off days. It becomes a life style, these guys are your best friends and often times the people you go to when you need help.
While many of the players may be married and some even have kids, hanging with their families is much different than hanging with "the boys". Believe me when I say this: There is nothing better than hanging out with your teammates.
When a player steps away from the game, they lose that connection with their teammates and friends. Sure they still text each other and come to the odd game. But they no longer hang out with them on road trips and you're not battling with them to win anymore. You become alienated from the only world you've ever known and it's a very tough adjustment.
3. Better nutrition and training
In the older days of hockey, the players used to drink and smoke after games. Heck some even did it between periods. The players also didn't train nearly as hard as today's players. While todays players still drink more and more of them are becoming aware of the proper nutrition needed to allow their bodies to compete at the top level. Players that consistently drink and smoke just won't cut it in today's NHL. The game moves so fast that you have to be in the best shape or you're a step behind.
Due to the fact players are learning how to properly train and take care of their bodies, they're finding they're able to play longer in their careers. When you eat and train properly you avoid the little injuries that slow players down. With people like Roberts offer training and nutrition programs, nutrition has become just as much part of the game as training or skating.
The players know, take care of your body and you can play at your best for as long as you want.
Yes today's players (or should I say yesterday's) are making their careers last a lot longer. If you can take care of your body you can get another pay check so why not? But with the awareness and knowledge around preserving your body right now, we could see players playing well into their 50's in the future.
What do you think, do you like seeing players play into their 40's?
"I've had the motivation of playing from the beginning" ~ Daniel AlfredssonAlfredsson said he needed to "Test out his body" to see if it could withstand the rigours of training for the NHL. He had back surgery last year to fix his back pain, so he needed to see where he stood after the surgery.
"It was my body that had to make the decision more than anything. If I have my strength I know I can play and contribute." ~Daniel AlfredssonAlfredsson is returning for his 17th NHL season. Remarkably he has played all 17 seasons with the same team, never jumping ship and staying loyal to end. He has been the captain of the Senators since 1999 and has been with the team through the ups and downs.
He holds team records in goals (416), assists (666) and points (1,082). But his value to the Senators goes well beyond the scoreboard. He helped mentor Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and played a huge part in developing Jason Spezza's game. He's been in the league so long he's experienced almost everything, so he's able to give advice and leadership to younger players.
Alfredsson joins the elite group of players to continue playing in their 40's. (He will be 40 in December). Other players in the same category include Teemu Selanne, Jaromir Jagr and Martin Brodeur.
Who inspired players to play for so long? Obviously there have been many trend setter who have played into their "later years", Gretzky played until he was 38 or how about Chris Chelios who played until he was 48! But I believe the real trend setter was Gary Roberts who played until he was 43. Roberts initially retired at age 30 but returned the following season to play 12 more seasons. How did he do it? By taking care of his body. He ate the proper foods, trained hard and most importantly listened to his body when it cried "uncle". Roberts knew when give his body a rest and when to push it to it's limits. Through his 22 seasons he single handily changed the way players think about the game. Why not play till your 40? If you have the proper resources why not take proper care of your body?While Roberts is not playing in the NHL anymore he is still training and eating the proper way. A major factor in performance is food, if you eat the right stuff you're good to go.
In honour of Alfredsson coming back for another season, I've compiled a list of three reasons why it's so difficult for players to walk away from the game.
1. Money
When the players stop playing they stop making millions of dollars every year. While it's nice and dandy for players to sign a 10 year deal in which they make $10 million each year, once those 10 years are up and they stop playing that comfy $10 million stops rolling in. While it may be tough to think of someone blowing $100 million, it's a reality for a lot of NHL players. During their careers they spend money on big houses, fancy cars and all the latest gadgets and are able to do so because they're getting more money next season. But once the money stops coming in it becomes more and more difficult to stop spending the money even though it's not being replenished.
Hockey players usually don't have a high level of education. Some players enter the NHL right out of high school, while others do a year or two of college. What job would they be able to get after their hockey careers? Whatever job they get it wont pay nearly as well as the NHL.
2. "The Boys"
I know that sounds like a silly saying, but it's a very common saying in junior and minor hockey. The players always talk about hanging out with "the boys" or how they'd do anything for "the boys". It's no different in the NHL. The players are even closer, they travel together, work together, fight for each other and many even live together. On hockey team everyone has their tight nit group of "boys" they hang out with on road trips and even on off days. It becomes a life style, these guys are your best friends and often times the people you go to when you need help.
While many of the players may be married and some even have kids, hanging with their families is much different than hanging with "the boys". Believe me when I say this: There is nothing better than hanging out with your teammates.When a player steps away from the game, they lose that connection with their teammates and friends. Sure they still text each other and come to the odd game. But they no longer hang out with them on road trips and you're not battling with them to win anymore. You become alienated from the only world you've ever known and it's a very tough adjustment.
3. Better nutrition and training
In the older days of hockey, the players used to drink and smoke after games. Heck some even did it between periods. The players also didn't train nearly as hard as today's players. While todays players still drink more and more of them are becoming aware of the proper nutrition needed to allow their bodies to compete at the top level. Players that consistently drink and smoke just won't cut it in today's NHL. The game moves so fast that you have to be in the best shape or you're a step behind.
Due to the fact players are learning how to properly train and take care of their bodies, they're finding they're able to play longer in their careers. When you eat and train properly you avoid the little injuries that slow players down. With people like Roberts offer training and nutrition programs, nutrition has become just as much part of the game as training or skating.
The players know, take care of your body and you can play at your best for as long as you want.
Yes today's players (or should I say yesterday's) are making their careers last a lot longer. If you can take care of your body you can get another pay check so why not? But with the awareness and knowledge around preserving your body right now, we could see players playing well into their 50's in the future.
What do you think, do you like seeing players play into their 40's?
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