Three years ago, almost to the day, I was featured in a series by The Epoch Times as I began my journey to trying out for the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL). I'm happy to announce that I am chasing that dream once again. In 2011, I did not make the final roster of the, now defunct, Burlington Barracudas. At the time I was rebounding from a bad back injury to start training again as I prepared for camp. Funny enough, this time around I am rebounding from two shoulder injuries in a span of 13 months. Instead of trying to get ahead, I am playing the catch up game first (again). Armed with a personal trainer, I am making the biggest fitness gains I've seen in years. On a physical level, I feel ready. On ice, I'm still not so sure. I've spent the better part of the last five years playing Senior A or AA hockey - one game a week, no practices October-April. I've mixed in some summer hockey, and in the last three years, competitive ball hockey in the summer months. Meanwhile, the women I will be up against in the draft (and more importantly, at training camp) have spent their last four years in the university or college system seeing ice time up to seven times a week and training off ice a few times a week. I can't deny how nervous I am for training camp in September, having played no ice hockey since April. Between ball hockey twice a week, weight training three times a week, tennis and obstacle course races I have kept in great shape in the off season, but the lack of ice time frightens me. The weakest part of my game is confidence and puck handling. I've got the heart, dedication, skating speed and physical strength to play the game at higher levels, but my puck handling abilities are not up to par and I beat myself up over it and wind up getting rid of the puck too quickly. “Obviously you are in great shape, however, off-ice fitness has very little to do with on-ice fitness,” said general manager and coach Ray Baumgaertner when I asked for feedback on why I was cut in 2011. “For the level that you would be expected to play at in the CWHL, your foot speed needs work and carrying the puck with your head up needs to improve,” Baumgaertner said. With one less team in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to be drafted to, compared to three years ago, the stakes are even higher. No matter what happens, I am the healthiest and happiest I've ever been in my life and I will know deep down that I tried my best to achieve this goal. I am also very proud of how far the women's game has come and that it is this competitive to make it to the big leagues. Signing off, 'Bouf' | If you're interested in the original series from The Epoch Times in 2011: Part 1 - Chasing the Dream of Women's Pro Hockey Part 2 - Preparing for Draft Day Part 3 - Draft Day Success Part 4 - The Final Roster |