For years, in Columbus, Indiana, professional hockey has existed only on TVs or a drive to the nearest city with a professional hockey team. Last year, this all changed with the introduction of the Sentinels professional hockey team based right here in Columbus. Invested hockey fans can catch them at the Hamilton Ice Arena for their home games, or visit them on the road at any of their home games. Their games are just a small part of the process; however, with the majority of the work put in without the fans cheering and announcers spectating, when it’s just the team buckling down for practice day in and day out.
“We maintain performance by practicing nearly every day. The players want to stay sharp by being on the ice consistently, and discipline is critical throughout the season.” Head coach Everett Thompson said. “Early in the season, practices typically include more conditioning, but we still place a strong emphasis on building good habits and introducing our team systems.”
The athletes themselves are constantly in training, not just during practice, but also just in day-to-day life, making sure to eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, and study film. “A lot of people think professional hockey revolves around just playing the game, but in reality, most of the work comes away from the rink.” Ryan Glazer, a professional on the team, said. “Being a pro means training in the gym, recovery, studying film, and taking care of your body every day. It’s also about taking care of your mind – trying to balance performing, travelling, and your everyday life while staying consistent.”
Glazer talks a lot about how keeping your mind healthy is just as, or maybe even more important than, keeping your body healthy, especially when joining a new and aspiring team. “When you’re joining a new team, there’s a little extra emphasis on mental preparation beforehand.” He also talks about how important it is to be ready to embrace change, be open to learning, and prepare yourself to adapt quickly on the fly. He also gives a tip on how to stay in a good mental state: “I made it a point to stay mentally flexible because I can only control the controllables-my effort and attitude.”
Adding on to the importance of good mental health, Glazer emphasizes the importance of staying positive and confident, going through summer training all the way through the season, and even through injury. “Over the summer, I focused on staying confident and trusting my work,” Glazer said. “The biggest challenge for me was staying patient and believing in myself through setbacks. Whether it’s dealing with an injury, waiting to hear if teams are interested, or even struggling to perform in games.” When dealing with setbacks, Glazer has prepared mentally for them and has the mental strength to power through. “During those times, it’s easy to feel frustrated and get derailed. I’ve learned that persistence and having confidence in my abilities are key. Every setback is an opportunity to come back stronger, because at the end of the day, everything happens for a reason, whether you realize it in the moment or only understand it later.”
