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The Red Wings are in a long stretch of practices. This is the first chance since training camp the group will try to re-institute systems, as well as get to know some new teammates a bit better. Mlive did a post that you can read
here
Some insight was gained by quotes from Darren Helm and Luke Glendening. Helm stressed what a fantastic opportunity, one he wasn’t sure he’d have, playing hockey at this level is. Glendening talked about keeping the right attitude and focus during a hard stretch. It is in the latter that I am most impressed.
For all the negativity surrounding Glendening on internet boards and in comment sections, nothing has come easy for #41. A walk on tryout for University of Michigan who became team captain. He was then signed as a free agent in the AHL working his way to an NHL contract. An undrafted player who made his way. While many still bemoan the “grinders” in Detroit, Glendening is a consummate pro. He has become a strong faceoff presence in short handed situations and seems to embrace every opportunity, regardless of minutes. Luke loves the game.
With the potential in Detroit’s developing stars, a steadying presence is needed greatly. This is where veterans step up and try to help offer perspective. The fine line of demanding more of yourself and your teammates without bringing down the room is one that few players can walk. Young players find themselves taking on too much and losing the mental battle.
In practices yesterday, the team shifted from the practice sheets to the main ice. One of the benefits of LCA is keeping everything under one roof. Some of theses players will remember stepping onto NHL ice as young players. That feeling of seeing the logo at center, looking up at all the seats and imagining themselves with an NHL logo on their sweater. The dream is a long shot, and very few make the cut. What Helm, Glendening and others want to help the team remember is that feeling of what the passion and fun for the game were all they thought about. 5 a.m. skates, pickup games in the winter, getting some gloves or a stick as a favorite Christmas present. Those times as children go by so quickly, but bring back such fond memories.
A professional athlete needs to combine pressure and perspective. The pressure is feeling like 10s of thousands of people don’t like you very much when things aren’t going well. The perspective is earning a very good living playing the game they’ve loved their entire life. Neither can be ignored, and neither should be taken for granted. The saying out of Toronto is, “you’re never as good as they say you are, and you’re never as bad as they say you are”. Hero to zero happens quickly in a long season.
This break may well be a much needed tonic. Perlini, Biega, Fabbri and Comrie can all get to know their new teammates a bit better. Chemistry can better be assessed in the absence of some important players. More than anything, the guys can build each other up. This rare respite could strengthen the team with more than just defensive schemes. It can build a rapport that turns teammates into lifelong friends who will battle for each other, and for their logo.
Thank you so much to everyone who stops to read and comment. Keep it coming!
The journey to becoming a hockey blogger has been a strange one, but I am grateful for every day I get to write. You can see my story here
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