The Vancouver Whaler's biggest rival is and always has been ourselves. We don't lose games because other teams are better, we lose games because we don't play our best. When we play our best game, we are unstoppable. And truly, to play our best game means a lot more than simply showing up and trying really hard. There are many things that influence each and every player, be it life events, things we eat, or even the words we say to each other. It is for this reason that the coaching staff are adamant about cohesion. Not merely as teammates, but as family. We are professionals, sure, but great steps have been made to intersect our lives. On the road, it is mandatory that we share meals as a large group. At home, we are broken up into groups of 5 and a rotating member of the group hosts a meal once a week. Spouses and children are encouraged to join. Again, it is important that every aspect of our lives intersects. A team with a life-bond will play for eachother harder than a professional could. We are not actors and so we cannot pretend. It must be authentic.