Sean Davies only has one J season under his belt, so it’s a little early for them to be giving a ton of advice, but here are a few tips and tricks they have for surviving the J.
1) Take care of your body. This may seem obvious, but you have to do the little things. Stretching, icing, and muscle rolling will go a long way to keeping you at the top of your game. And remember to stay hydrated. Cramps are the worst.
2) Learn how the team functions. If you don’t know ask. Being confused isn’t going to help you. Ask the vets where things are and how the team runs things. You don’t want to be the guy people are laughing at because you thought you knew better.
3) Ask why. This is similar to the last point, but with a twist. When I say ask why I don’t mean argue and ask why you must do something. I mean learn why you’re doing it. It’s one thing to just follow orders, but it’s another to know why. If you’re doing a certain drill one way, ask the thought process behind why. If you’re doing a workout one way, ask how it benefits. Knowledge is power and learning the reason you’re doing things will help you perform more effectively.
4) Thank the fans. They’re the one’s paying your salary and they look up to you. Return the favor.
5) Above all have fun. You’re incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to play hockey for a living. Yes it is your job, but it’s still a game. Enjoy it.