The big news out of Sens Land last week was Shane Pinto rejoining the hockey club. He still has a few games to go on his 41 game suspension for gambling and is eligible to return January 21st. As tough as it is to get back to playing the game physically, the mental journey he is on has been on even tougher.
First, after getting the news I am pretty sure he was in a state of shock.No one thought the he would receive the largest suspension in history in the modern gaming era. It was severe and punitive and he had to be thinking what do I do now and what is my return to play plan.
Secondly, how did this affect his day to day activities. Athletes live a very structured life and now that structure had been temporarily taken away. How does he fill his day. With the spare time did his anxiety level rise. Have sleep patterns been disrupted and by extension does it affect his mood .
Thirdly, he has trained on his own or with a trainer. His fitness level will be good, but how about his game fitness ? His hockey IQ? How will he be accepted by his teammates and the media? He needs to be ready for these new challenges and how to handle them properly. These are important elements of his return to play plan.
Fourth, when he finally gets through all this, it is time to play. However, there are still some anxieties to experience as it pertains to his body and how it feels. Can I take game contact? Can I release the puck at an NHL level? Will I be booed in my own building ? Am I prepared for the trash talking and the chirping from opposition fans when I am on the road? As part of his return plan all these things need to be considered and prepared for.
Finally, after the adrenaline wears off in three to four games and his game starts to regress what is the plan? Does his confidence take a hit and if it does how does he and the Senators handle this.
Most fans look at the physical and functional part of the game. To me that is the easier part of the return to cope with. The mental side, the time he has away from the rink when the mind wanders to places it shouldn’t can be a challenge. As of January 15th this team is 29th in the standings and struggling with physical and technical issues of there own, so it is not a great situation to enter into.
Pinto made a young person’s error. He is not the first nor will he be the last to make questionable decisions that young wealthy athletes make. A decision that has cost him income but it has also cost him psychologically.
Events of this magnitude are a huge jolt of reality and are life changing. Hopefully he comes out of this a better person and a better athlete.
Time to meet the moment.
Until next time!
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