There are many aches and pains that come with being a professional hockey player, like those in the Simluation Hockey League. For Nikolai Evans, that is no different, especially as a defenseman. He may not have the same physical game his Hall of Fame father, Zach Evans, possessed, but there is the extra wear and tear of shot-blocking and matching up with some of the premier scoring forwards in the world.

Naturally, there are “lower body” injuries as they often described in the hockey nomenclature. Sore legs, bruises up and down the shins and thighs. There is little time for the “R” in the often-discussed R.I.C.E method for healing such issues, but there are many ice baths and leg wraps when Nikolai isn’t on the ice to keep him as close to peak condition as possible.

There is also a constant pain in his neck, thanks to the presence of Anastasia O’Koivu. However, the only solution to that would be O’Koivu getting traded, which the training staff has no control over.