The End. Some day everyone learns that it is over. That playing at a highly competitive level is over. The comradery. The travel. The recruiting. The winning and the loosing as a team mate.
All the incredible on and off ice experiences will one day come to an end. What if that day is tomorrow?
Think about it. Really think about how you may feel if everything in hockey suddenly ends tomorrow for you. Would you be happy with what you did? Would you be satisfied with the effort you made?
Or would you look back and think you could have done more. You could have given a greater effort? Could have trained a little harder? Maybe listened to your coaches more? Maybe not drank those beers with the boys the night before a game? Maybe not chewed tobacco or smoked and increased your cardio training?
Maybe you would have listened to people who actually knew what they were talking about instead of thinking you knew more than them? Maybe you would have listened to the experts instead of mommy and daddy who were acting on emotion?
Maybe you would not have stayed home because you had a girlfriend who was looking out for her own interests?
You will get out of this game what you put into it. You will have every measure of success in this game that you actually work for and earn.
Are you working for it, or are you talking about working for it? Are you earning it or bitching about the other guys who are working harder than you to earn it?
Do you have a plan? Are you working that plan? Are you listening to people who know what they are talking about or are you making things up as you go?
The season is about to begin. Are you really ready? What if it all ended tomorrow? Would you be happy with everything you have done?
Joseph Kolodziej – Adviser
