I feel like the best balance for a hockey player is to have some fun in the early part of the offseason. Pushing yourself too far will only lead to injury and possibly the end of your career early. So recreation should be the start. Just cause you're relaxing a bit doesn't mean that you cant work on team related stuff. Going on Vacation with teammates can lead to some chemistry that wasn't there before. Better chemistry can lead to better play on the ice. Better trust between teammates means more risks that can lead to big plays.

But of course it can't be all play. You'll have to get back in the gym and make sure that you're physically fit for the season. Working on ways to keep yourself healthy so you can have a long career. That's my thoughts to it. Play first then work after, the mind and body don't do well with nothing but work.