Growing up I never thought about trying to mold my game after a particular player; I wanted to be my own kind of player. I wanted to be the one people would be emulating in the future. But once I got up into the higher tiers I saw that just wasn't going to work. Everyone is good now, some guys are great. Those guys are great because they have learned from others what works and what doesn't. There is nothing wrong with looking for inspiration to improve your game from another player. Steven Moyer (@CanadianDuck) is one of those great players.

I had a chance to be 'mentored' by him for some program the SHL puts on for connecting rookies with veterans before we get to the show. Well my mentoring was...interesting to say the least. He had me punching half a cow hanging in a meat locker. Probably violates some kind of health code. He had me painting his fence, probably violates a labour law. He also had me chasing a live chicken which was probably terrified for its life. I say all this in jest of course, because I actually really appreciated our time spent together because he was honest about playing pro hockey and it was refreshing. Growing up and looking like you might make it, people talk up playing pro hockey as 'dream.' But it's hard. It's hard on families. It's hard on your body and your mind. And it's in everything you do until you retire. But it's everything to you.

Moyer picking me was the best case scenario. He's exactly the player I want to be. I watched a ton of video after our hangout to see exactly how he did what he did on the ice. He's a big presence but playmaking is his specialty. His skating and playmaking are elite. He provides a scoring touch, but it's his passing that sets him apart. His passing is as good as anyone out there. His defense is admirable for someone of his play style. He's not a liability on the ice, and is very responsible in his own end. I would be a fool not to want to emulate someone like this, and I plan on it.

-James Hendricks