- 2017 Highlights
Personal Statement
Throughout my hockey career I have faced many challenges and each and every time I have overcome the adversity. Whether it's getting cut from the AAA St. Louis Blues team three years in a row before making it the last four, or being bullied for my dedication to the game, I have taken it in stride and become a better person and a better player because of it. From these experiences, I now know that nothing will stop me from reaching my goals and succeeding. As a result of my drive to reach the next level and win, I train very seriously by shooting pucks in my basement, taking power skating lessons, doing cardio and weight training, eating healthy, and getting the rest my body needs.
While I have individual goals, I am still very much a dedicated team player. Because of my drive to succeed and team-oriented attitude, I am trusted by my coaches and played during the most important situations of the game (power play, penalty kill including 5v3s, and during the last minutes of a close game, not to mention overtime). In fact, just this season I have 2 game winning goals, one in overtime, as well as a game winning assist in the last few minutes of a tied game. I am currently on penalty kill 1, and on power play 2. Because power play 1 gets most of power play time and is a very successful unit and often scores, our unit does not produce as much, and so I make sure I produce in other ways and areas. At the beginning of the season and after several years of playing left wing, I was moved back to my natural position of center. I consistently win between 65% and 80% of faceoffs, which in turn means that I’m the go-to center to take all of the big faceoffs like the ones during the last minute of the game or when we need to get control of the puck off a faceoff to score. I am considered a power forward who plays a 200 ft game, so while I may not be scoring as much as I’d like or as much as I expect, I’m still contributing to the team in regards of blocking shots, going to the dirty areas, and creating space for my linemates.
The adversity I have faced has made me better and stronger, mentally and physically. I’ve learned to fight for what I want and I’m learning what it takes to reach a goal. I know that every time I step on the ice, I’m there to make an impact, and that’s my focus. The great ones don’t fall into their success, they work their way there. I’m ready to work.
