Getting into the Routine - SEP.08.07
Entry posted by Mason Raymond
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<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>It was really nice to get the first day done – it felt like a lot of weight was lifted, which made it a bit easier to relax but it’s not over yet. The anxiety isn’t there as much so I’m able to show who I am more as a player and hopefully get the attention of the guys upstairs.
It’s only the second day in Victoria and it’s almost starting to feel like being in the army with the same routine everyday. I get up in the morning, eat breakfast and come down to the rink. Once we get the rink, get a warm-up in and get ready for the on-ice sessions.
I got up at around quarter after 7, so not terribly early but early enough to make sure we get to the arena about an hour before practice. Michael Grabner’s my roommate and we get along well in that we usually go to bed and wake up around the same time so it works well. I’m usually up at around the same time but I mean we’re in bed early so it works out well.
<a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond02_09082007_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond02_09082007_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=3 hspace=4></a>I was saying the other day about messy roommates, well unfortunately I have nothing to report on Michael, he’s not too messy – well at least he seems pretty neat. Although we’re not in the room much and when we are, it’s mostly just recovering from the day and resting so I guess I can’t really say if he’s messy quite yet.
Like I said, Michael’s a great roommate and if there’s one thing that bugs me is that he’s always speaking German and I have no idea what he’s saying! I always tell him to speak in English because it’s so frustrating when he speaks German all the time because you never know what they’re saying. There’s no way I can even begin to make it out.
Anyway, everybody’s so good here, they’re all such tough competition but there are those guys who have played some games last year like Alex Edler and Luc, who have some experience already but anybody’s got a good shot on any given day. Those two guys stand out for sure but I mean everybody’s here for the same reason and there’s a reason why they’re here in the first place – they’re good hockey players.
Although I came in here with nerves, I don’t know if there are a lot of surprises. I knew I would come in here and it would be a battle and there was going to be a lot of hard work and well, it’s exactly that. Being in Manitoba last year definitely helped because the coaches are the same out on the ice and some of the drills are the same so in that sense I have some familiarity and comfort.
The coaches are always giving us pointers and if they see something to improve on, they’re extra helpful and want you to succeed.
<a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond01_09082007_t.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond01_09082007_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4></a>One thing that’s been different from college is maybe the media attention. People are saying that the amount of media right now is nothing compared to what it will be like next week when the vets are here, that will be interesting to see. This is a hockey city so it’s just something you have to expect, besides, media is just part of the job so I figure you might as well just get used to it.
I’m not crazy but I even enjoy some of the media. It’s what you live for because it’s really all part of being a professional hockey player. I want to take advantage of all of it and show what I can do here and hopefully stay out here and keep with it.</td></tr></table>
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