(Draft Stock Photo)


Sam Slade Talks about Grueling Off-season

In what in reality has only been 6 weeks since he last played, but seems more like 6 months, Sam Slade talks about how the off-season can test a player mentally and physically.

: Tell us about the challenges you face in the offseason?

"Well, physically you have to stay in shape and work on what you need to in the off-season, so that is normal for any player that wants to take the next step, you have to be physically ready because it is a long season and you need to be firing on all cylinders from the start.

However, what i think is even more of an issue is the mental aspect. Most prospects come in and fire away and go hard for about a week or so, then fade. You have to be consistent, the season is long and GM's want to know you are consistant and not someone who is going to disappear for a stretch of games. That is the toughest part because it's easy to lose focus and not stay active, but if you want it bad enough you just have to do it. It's all about discipline."



: You talk about discipline when it comes to staying active and being mentally ready for the off-season, can you elaborate?

"What i mean by discipline is we all want to blow our load and show the GM's what we have, but I think you show more by showing consitency then by being a super stud for 1 week then disappearing for 2 weeks because you have to recover or lose interest because people aren't knocking down your door. You have to pace yourself so you can last a long off-season.

If i was a GM i would rather draft a guy who i know i can count on for 40 games in the NWJHL and will be a positive guy in the locker room for those games then one that is hit or miss. I definately wouldn't make someone who disappears a captain or assistant captain, afterall, what does that tell the rest of the team?"

: You've mentioned pace yourself, show discipline, what what do you mean by that when it comes to activity?

"What i mean is as a free agent you have to sell yourself to the GM's, so you need to be active and meet the press and do other things, but don't do it every day for a week, then do nothing. Pace yourself, do an article every few days, when your last article's attention is fading, schedule a new one, you know, don't overload them, but keep your name constantly on there mind. That's what i think will win there votes come draft time."



: You've talked about your strategy this off-season, how do you think that will translate into the NWJHL draft this coming season?

"I think i am a solid 1st round pick, ever since my season last year, i have shown consistency, even through adversity and never once have I waivered and shown I was not reliable, not to mention i put up good numbers last year, so I also have shown i can produce. You put those things together and yours a 1st round pick in my books"

: What if you aren't a 1st round pick?

"I would be extremely disappointed to be 100% honest, but it is what it is and I will play my heart out either way, so in the end i guess it doesn't matter."

: Thanks for your time Sam

"No Problem"

Nice

Code:

1. Team Canada , Benjamin Wong 1 (Jay McDonald) at 8:49

first ever Canadian Olympic goal