Here we are in 2026, made it through another year!
The World Junior Hockey Championship is over, Canada finishes third.
The country is still in tack, no federal inquiry as of yet!
The Swedes finally stopped choking and win a big game.
They tried to blow it but they got a bounce.
Such is the nature of sport.
Meanwhile, back at the gym I am still working out.
The routine is a little different this year working on movement and rotation around the joints and using ground force drills. We will find out in 109 days how much distance I picked up or did not lose.
Right now the Ottawa Senators are a bit of a mess. All sorts of off ice drama happening. It was created by the social media trolls. Basically these ” casuals” use the social media machine to create drama. IMO it is a viscous circle. They set the bait with a little bit of praise and then turn it into criticism . What happens is the players( yes they follow it!) and try to take these negative comments and use it as fuel. Which sounds like a good idea, but deep down using it as fuel means your trying to please and appeal to someone or some group. Instead they should not be letting it affect how you go about your business. In situations like this you find out how much grit your team has. A lot time we see the effect of short term intensity and a spike in talent. What we should be seeing is a renewed commitment and perseverance to the long term goal of the team. That involves trust and the trust factor looks low, but I am not in that dressing room.
To get this bus back on the road and everyone in the right seats they need to take on the next challenge and remember the strengths they had before all this crap happened. They also have to understand that moment that they are in has peaks and valleys . By doing so they understand the entire trip will not be a smooth ride. Worrying about the future and what happened in the past does not do them any good. All that matters is now and that is done by using and improving your preparation that they relied on when success was happening.
Just because something is said does not mean you have to hear it, understand it, or believe it.
Great Coaches and athletes know how to manage the uncertainty.
Until next time.
Follow on X @Betweentheears2