Things I learned in the past three years
What I can do for my teammates?
Time flies like crazy. It seems like yesterday when I moved to a townhouse (dormitory in Lake Superior State University) with a lot of baggage but that was 3 years ago. I’m a senior now.
I joined the laker hockey team in 2017 without knowing anything. I did not know “where I should go” or “what I should do”. I asked upperclassmen or classmates so many times like “What am I supposed to do right now?” But today, I am the guy who is asked these questions.
Coaches often say “Returners should know about this.” It means not only about the tactics on the ice but also our culture, rules, or norms in the locker room as well. As I get older, my role in this team has changed.
For my last year in college, I asked myself two things; first, “what I can do for my teammates, especially for young guys?” second, “What is my leadership?”
To be honest, I am not the person leading the guys with motivational words or speech. I suck at it. My English skill is still not enough to do it and I feel it does not fit my personality. Of course showing my leadership in “action”, not “words’’ is one of the things I am trying to do. Being a hard worker might impress them. But I think it is not enough. What else can I do? After much consideration, I came up with my answer. It’s simple.
The things I can do for them is “Telling my experiences.”
In the past three years, I experienced so many things. In this blog, I want to write what I learned, challenged, failed, and overcame. I couldn’t be happier if this blog makes you excited about your future. Let’s begin.
Freshman Year: As a non-eligible and injured player
My college hockey career started with a 1-year game suspension. The reason why it happened is that I had played 4 games in senior pro level in Czech republic before I came to the U.S. When I was playing in Czech, I had no idea that I would be a college hockey player in the United States. I didn’t even know about what the NCAA is. My goal at this time was to become a professional hockey player in the Czech. That was my dream. That dream became true. I played for Rytiri Kladno U20 for 2 seasons. In my second year, I became a scoring champion in the league. (It could not be done with my amazing linemates Petr and Daniel, I will write about it someday)
After the successful season, I got a call up from Rytiri Kladno’s senior team (FYI, Kladno is known as “Jaromir Jagr’s team” and they produced many NHL stars). Playing for the senior team was one of the biggest goals in my hockey career at that time so I was very happy about it. I took that chance. And I have no regrets about my decisions. It was one of the best life moments for me. I love Kladno.
After the call up from the senior team, I got offered to sign a pro contract with Kladno. I could not be happier when the coach asked me for a pro contract. But I did not sign it. Why? Because I had a chance to play for Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL at the same time.
It was one of the biggest decisions I have ever made. At this point, I was still not sure if I was eligible to play in the NCAA, but I wanted to try. In Waterloo, I learned so many things as well. (It‘s gonna be too long if I start writing about this so I’ll write about the days in waterloo someday). Then, during the season, I committed to Lake Superior State University.
After I committed to LSSU, I worked so hard to get 4 years of eligibility from NCAA. We contacted so many times with the NCAA eligibility center. However, “4 games pro experience” was a big issue and they made the final call for me, which is a 1-year suspension.
It was a very strange feeling that I am not able to play the game. I never experienced that. Fortunately, I was allowed to practice with the team, so I practiced hard as much as I could even though I never got a chance to play in the game. After the first couple of weeks, the practice gradually shifted from individual skills to team tactics. In the team tactics practice, I was always in the 5th line while my classmate was getting in a line up as a freshman. After the season began, a couple of guys made their debut and already became one of the important players in the team. Of course, I was super happy that my classmates are doing well but at the same time, it was a little bit hard to just keep watching them from a seat.
However, even then, I did not lose hope. I was never disappointed or discouraged. I never felt like that. Never. The reason why I was highly motivated during this period is that the eligibility status is not what I can change. I knew it was an uncontrollable thing so I focused on what I could control. Of course, it was sad that I am not able to play games, but it means I have plenty of time to prepare for my sophomore year. There are so many things that I could learn even if I am not eligible to play games. For example, what the laker hockey is, what we want to do as a team, about teammates, what coaches want players to do, and so on. I always told myself “these days will help me in the future, so just work hard today!”
I believe it was the middle of October, I got a call from the head coach of the Japanese national hockey team. I was invited to the national team for the tournament called “Euro Challenge”. I was very happy about it. Representing your country is one of the biggest honors for athletes. Also, It was the only opportunity for me to play the game this season. I was pumped.
A Couple of weeks later, I got another great news. One day, the coach asked me to stop by his office. I was like “what he’s gonna tell me?” At first, I could not believe what he said. What he told me was that my 1 year suspension was reduced to half a year. It means I will be eligible after the Christmas break. I was like “What!? No way!” I couldn’t stop smiling. I was super happy. I was full of joy at this time.
I got a chance to represent my country and also I will be eligible to play after Christmas. There’s nothing that could make me happier than this. I had more hope for myself in the future than ever before. However, an accident happened in the practice right after the next day I talked with the coach.
That was when we were playing 3 on 3 games at the end of practice. When I tried to get the puck from my opponent, I lost my balance and I fell. At this moment, an intense pain that I never experienced before, ran through my right ankle.
Yes, I fractured my fibula.
After I went to see a doctor, he said there is no need for surgery, but it takes at least about 6 weeks to take off the cast and then 2–3 weeks of rehabilitation. So basically the doctor told me that it takes 3 months to come back with the full condition.
Can you imagine how I felt at this time? I had been working so hard as possible, then I got some opportunities to make it, then it went away from me. It was tough. Very tough.
However, even in this situation, I did not give up either. I stayed positive for the whole time. Right after I fell and suffered the pain during practice, I momentarily realized that “Oh it must be broken, I cannot go to the national team’s tournament.” I still don’t know why this feeling suddenly came up, but one thing I am sure of is that I quickly accepted the reality of what happened to me. I think this “momentary acceptance” for my injury was the biggest factor that I could keep facing forward. Even if you can’t change what happened to you, you still can freely change your future actions and feelings. The human body starts recovering immediately after being injured. Then how about mental status? It all depends on you. It was a very hard time for me but I never lost my hope. My thought at this time was pretty simple. It was like “Well, let’s overcome this.”
People tend to think getting injured is a very negative thing. I, however, do not think so. I believe that injured time is one of the greatest chances to improve yourself. You can learn so many things from injury.
First, you can’t do anything without someone’s help. What I realized again was the big kindness of the people around me. Teammates, roommates, classmates, coaches, professors, fans, and countless people helped me with everything such as opening the door, giving me a ride or carrying my stuff. I cannot thank them enough for them.
For my performance, I tried to improve my weak point during this period. Of course, it was sad that I cannot play hockey. I was also worried about getting worse, to be honest. However, there were tons of things that I can do to improve my physical level even if my leg is broken. For example, upper body or core strength. I kept telling myself like “I will be back on the ice stronger than I was before.”
Again, injury is the chance to improve yourself. It is not a negative thing. Facing injury could be a preparation time for another great step for you.
After the rehabilitation period, the day finally came. End of January 2018, I made my debut as a laker hockey player. There were only 7 games left in the season but it did not matter to me. I was so happy wearing the jersey and made a lineup. In the 7 games, I could register only 1 assist, but it was a big point for me.
This is how my freshman year ended.
Sophomore year: As a healthy-scratched player
I was very excited to start my second year at LSSU. There are two big reasons why. First, I was eligible to play for the full season. Second, I was fully recovered from injury. Unlike my freshman year, I have got used to the environment around me so I was ready to go. I wanted to make a big impact on the team. I had a great offseason and my body condition was very good. I was confident. However, the reality was far from what I imagined.
What I experienced in my sophomore year was the position of “scratched player.”
By the way, I was not a scratched player from the beginning. I used to be a regular player, but I got taken off.
It happened in October. I think it was the 7,8th game after the season started. We were in Alabama to play against the University of Alabama Huntsville. In the first game against UAH, I could not play at all. I had no chances, no shot, no good play. Then I got zero shift since the second half of the game. I was sitting down on the bench for the rest of the game.
The next day, when I walked into the rink before the game, My number was not on the roster sheet. I kinda expected it but it shocked me. It was my first time getting scratched.
After that, the coach called me and we had a meeting.
The reason why I was out of the roaster was the “lack of tenacity.” When I looked back at the video clips from the last game, there was zero “strong willingness” in my play such as no battle in front of the net, I tried to pick up the puck with one hand, not trying to win the battle on the corner. In short, I was very passive on the ice. I could not find any plays like “It’s my puck!” or “I score goal whatever it takes!” mentality. Everything was too soft.
In practice after the trip from Alabama, I was in the 5th line.
In the first team practice, after I got scratched, I was very enthusiastic. The first time I saw my number on the 5th line, I wanted to turn away from reality. But I told myself “Don’t run away, it’s okay. It all starts from here. Let’s take it back” and I kept saying “Tenacity, tenacity, tenacity…” in my mind for the whole practice.
One thing that I was very lucky about is that the word “tenacity” includes all the elements that are needed to play heavy on the ice. Stopping in front of the goal, hitting the rebounds many times, backchecking hard, going through hand on the forecheck, keeping your feet moving on the corner, protecting the puck. When I tried to be tenacious, I could naturally play like this. I didn’t change any skating or handling skills. I just changed my mind set. I put all my effort into every single play.
There was such a thing during the practice. I was in a 1 on 1 situation against a defenseman in the rush play. Before I got the puck, I knew that the defenseman was right in front of me. So I threw the puck behind the heels of the defender, then I used my speed and hit him, and then I grabbed the puck from the corner and passed to my linemates, then he scored.
If it were the old me, I would not chase the puck that hard. But this time was different. I had an absolute willingness to “make a play.”
After the practice was done, the coach came to talk to me.
“How did you feel about the practice today?” the coach asked. I said “I tried to play as heavy as I could. I tried to play with tenacity for the whole practice. I feel I played better than last week.” Then the coach said “What are you saying Yuki! That was the best performance ever. That rush play was great. That’s what I wanted to see!”
Honestly, I was happy. from this, I learned that by having your clear determination, it changes everything. I was convinced about it. If you have a determined mindset, it changes your action and these passions will convey to other people.
At the same time, I reconfirmed how much my practice attitude was not enough until today. I was very very tired after the practice. My body was super heavy. I never felt like that before. But I have to do this every day. This is what I have to do to compete at this level. I recognized it.
It was time to say goodbye to the old me.
After that, I tried to bring out the “tenacity” every single practice. Even so, the situation did not change immediately. It was not that easy to regain the regular position I lost.
When the team finished 20 games, I dressed a jersey only 8 times and I could not tail any goal or assist.
I got scratched→ Sometimes I got in the lineup → I had few shifts ➝I couldn’t make good result ➝ Then I scratched again….I repeated this over and over.
At this point, I was mentally frustrated that I could not record any points. It was a tough time. Around this time, I dreamed of scoring goals many, many times. I was happy when I scored but when I woke up I realized I had just a dream and got disappointed in the morning. It happened a lot.
Even so, I kept believing in myself. I always told myself “Someday I will score. I definitely will. It might be tomorrow, maybe next week, or maybe the last game of the season. But it will come for sure. So, just keep it up. Be strong. ”
While being a scratched player, I noticed something important. It was “always being ready to go.” There are usually 5 or 6 players who can’t dress for the game. Even if you consistently cannot be in the lineup, you should try to be a top player in the scratched players. You need to be a player who comes up first in the coach’s head when someone gets injured or someone was not sharp enough during the game. I tried to be that guy. Eventually, I consistently dress a jersey as a 13th forward (the last forward on the bench).
And then, the day finally came. It was January 26th, 2019. The season was almost over.
We played against Bemidji State University, one of the best teams in the league. Around the 5 minutes remaining in the third period, the coach told me to go. I was like “It’s gonna be the final chance in this game.” After 10–20 seconds, I got on the ice, that moment suddenly came. I got the puck in front of Bemidji’s bench and it turned 3 on 2 situations. I passed to my teammates and he returned me the puck. Then, I saw their defender slides to me so I stopped and deke to the inside, then I shot the puck to the top shelf. It was a move that I had practiced for a long time.
I scored my first goal.
A few seconds later, the audiences got loud, the siren rings, and my linemates dived to me. I was screaming before I knew it. My whole body got so hot and I felt like I was dreaming. I finally did it.
I’ve been waiting for this moment since the beginning of the season. It was an unforgettable feeling.
This was my 4th shift in the game. During the four shifts, I blocked 2 shots. I think it was huge. I played for the team first, then I got an opportunity at the end of the game, then I scored.
The next day, When I walked into the building, many people talked to me like “Hey Yuki! Congrats on your first goal!” I cannot thank these people enough. The reason why I could keep working is that many people always supported me. Of course, including my teammates.
This is how I finally went through the long long tunnel. It was just a goal, but that means a lot to me. After that game, I played the rest of all games and I scored 1 more goal. I ended my second season with 2 goals and 0 assists.
I feel it was great to experience both being a scratched player and struggling to score at the same time. Of course, it was a tough and painful time but I learned a lot from this. I am convinced that experiences in my sophomore year significantly helped me to grow as a hockey player. I am very thankful to the coaches that gave me a chance to learn a great thing. Everything is not given but earned. You have to compete if you want to get it. That’s what I learned.
Junior year: As a regular player
Third-year at LSSU. This season, my position in the team has changed from last year. I became a “regular player.” In the season opener game, I tailed a goal and an assist. I tied up my career-high points in 1 the first game. I had a good start.
I think that the most effective way to become a regular player is scoring points in the first few games. This was something I learned from last season. And I could implement it.
I steadily tailed some points in the first few games. When the team finished the first half of the season (20 games), I had 10 points. Of course, I was not satisfied with the stars, but getting 10 points in the first half of the season was one of my goals in this season. I was happy about it.
The biggest change was the ice time and being a penalty-killing specialist. My ice time has increased at least 5 times compared with last year. And I played a lot in the Penalty Killing situation. I had never been a special team member before, so I think it was a big improvement.
As the season approached the second half, I was facing a challenge. It was “consistency.” My condition and performance depended on the game. Sometimes I played well but sometimes I didn’t. This has been a problem for me since I was a kid.
You can easily see this by looking back at my stats. I had scored some points after the start of the season. but as time passed, my scoring pace significantly dropped. I had a period of zero points for 10 consecutive games from the end of November to the end of January.
At the end of the season, I played all games (41 games) and registered 2 goals and 12 assists. It means I had only 2 points in the second half of the season.
I think that the biggest difference between elite players and normal players is consistency. The ability to keep performing at a high level throughout the whole season is what separates an elite player and a normal player. No matter how you feel, no matter what happened, you have to play a minimum level and what is important is to set the minimum level as high as possible. This is what I learned, and the thing I have to improve.
There are some good things as well. I played all games and I led the league for the number of block shots by forwards. It was not a big title as the scoring leader, but it means a lot to me. I was really happy that I could contribute to the team in a defensive situation.
I was not invited for Olympic Qualification Tournament
I could feel some improvement at the LSSU, but during this season, I was off the roaster from the Japanese national team for the Olympic qualification tournament. It was the first time I was removed since I was 20 years old. The Olympic Games are very special to me, and leading team Japan to the Olympic Games is one of the biggest goals of my life. So I was sad that I could not even go to the qualification tournament.
However, there was no complaint in my mind. Because I did not think that I had enough results in the college league to be called for the national team. No player is always invited to the national team. No matter how many good results you had in the past, the most important thing is “what you can do for the team right now.” This was my first time not being a national team, but I learned a lot from this experience.
Anyway, my third year in college ended like that.
Last chapter: As a senior player
I experienced so many things in the past three years, and now, I have one year left. What is gonna happen this year? How do I feel when I finish my college hockey career? I don’t know anything yet. It is still not sure if we will have a game or not because of the COVID.
Sometimes you may be worried about the future, especially if it is unreadable. But I think it is more fun than living in the day where everything is known.
You can be excited about your future because you don’t know what’s gonna happen tomorrow. This is fun. That’s what I like.
As I said before, I am not a superstar player. That’s why I have to work hard for anyone else. That’s why I have to keep challenging myself every day. I believe there are some messages that I can send to someone in this world, because who I am.
There is only one thing that I want to say before I finish this blog. It is “Thank you for everything.” I could not have these amazing past 3 years without people around myself such as teammates, coaches, fans, friends, professors, rink guys, and all people who always support me along the way. I am such a lucky person to get a chance to meet such wonderful people in my life. I cannot thank everyone enough.
I love all my teammates, and I love Lake State.
Hey Hampus, Andy, Lukas, Vids, Willy, Chase, Mits, Roman, Rugs, and Alex! We are getting old, man! Some of you guys are not here but…Let’s enjoy the last ride together!
Thank you very much for reading this through to the end!
Yuki Miura
