Game Day with a Lumby
By Brett Richter
When his alarm went off, it was 08:00 in the morning; game day. But not just any game day. It was game three of the best of seven series and the Lumberjacks were already down 2-0. In some respects, Félix St-Onge approached it like any other game day routine. Then again, with a loss tonight, Félix was only one game away from closing this chapter of his hockey career and moving on to college. But with a win, Félix and his Lumberjack teammates regenerate hope into the early playoff run.
A creature of habit, Félix has a game day routine built over years of playing hockey. For the Lumberjack veteran and assistant captain, there is comfort in the routine and the preparation. The benefit of a routine allows Félix to concentrate on the opponent vs his personal preparation.
After a few quiet moments of reflection the day begins with breakfast loaded in carbs. A plate full of yogurt and fruit is a typical start before #3 is off to his first of four daily showers. After a hot shower and a quick visit with his billet parents Ted and Judy, the day bag is packed with work out gear. 9:30 AM finds Félix meeting up with many of his fellow teammates for an optional morning skate. This morning skate gets blood pumping and is the first time there is intentional stress put on the body. After an hour, the body is moving fluidly, and the sweat stained gear is proof of the effort. Time for shower number two; a key to getting in a good afternoon nap.
With a goal of being at the gym by 11:00 am, a quick stop to pick up his daily allotment of energy drinks is in order. Félix plans his gym routine on the success of the morning skate. Based on today’s results, the gym routine is light but always concludes with 10 minutes on the stationary bike. As a bonus, fellow teammate Gavin Lafferty joins Félix for the gym rotation. Before heading home, the Sudbury Ontario native stops by the Super One grocery store no later than noon. It is a quick stop to grab a freshly roasted chicken and then on to his temporary home. Once home, a large batch of pasta is cooking while Félix divides the chicken into two equal portions – one for today’s pregame meal and the rest for tomorrow’s pregame meal. With the pasta cooking completed, two identical meals are plated, sealed and stored in the refrigerator. Billet mom, Judy adds a fresh made salad to each meal and sets it next to the dinner.
With the morning checklist completed, it is time for the pre-game nap. The curtains are drawn, the phone is switched off, and hopefully the mind disengages for 90 minutes of rest. And in the blink of an eye, the preset alarm buzzes awakening the blond defenseman at precisely 2:45 pm. Taking a few minutes to relax in casual clothing, the pre-game meal reemerges, hits the microwave, and is consumed while catching up on phone contact. After taking shower number three, Félix dresses in the required suit and tie for the second trip to the rink today. Before leaving, one final check confirms his warmups are packed, the applesauce pouches are in the bag and the energy drinks are chilled.
If everything goes as planned, Félix is the second Lumberjack player to arrive at the rink, right behind Hayden “Patty” Patterson. The choreographed 4:00 pm arrival with Patty is the first of many game day rituals coordinated between the two teammates. But first on Félix’s list is a stop in the dry room to change from suit and tie to pregame warm up clothes. His phone and other valuables are put in his locker, not to be seen until after the game is over. Between 4:00 and 4:30, teammates arrive, the locker room music is turned up, and the game pre-check is on. Sticks are re-taped, skate laces are changed, blades are sharpened and rotated, and there is a quick check to be sure all the required safety equipment is in good repair. There is time to catch up with the guys as typical banter and jokes fly across the room.
4:45 pm, two hours and 15 minutes before puck drop, Head Coach Doug Lein and Assistant Coach CJ Sorensen lead the team meeting. Plans, systems, defensive notes, points of emphasis are reviewed by the staff, culminating in the team’s confirmation of understanding. It will be the last time the coach will address the team until just prior to puck drop. The time available before the team stretch at 5:25 finds Félix, much like many other teammates, engaging in personal warm-ups, both mental and physical. During the team stretch, Félix is traditionally first in line with Patty right behind him – once again, there is comfort in the routine. After 15 minutes of stretching, team captain Jack Hanna calls the guys into a huddle and leads from within. As they all know, a coach can only coach and the players themselves are charged with performing on the ice.
Returning to the locker room, the jokes begin to quiet but the music volume goes up, allowing each player some personal space. Félix finds time to do some personal leg stretches and gets the blood flowing. He spends time visualizing the game by seeing passing opportunities, defensive positions, and working on hand eye coordination. As the clock approaches 6:00 pm, Félix sprints back to the locker room.
Right on the nose of 6 pm, Félix drinks the energy drink he brought from home. Game time is now less than an hour away. The next 12-15 minutes are consumed with game day dress including shin guards, chest protector, elbow pads, skates, breezers, socks, etc. all put on in an orchestrated and ritualistic order. The game switch is officially “ON” and his focus is solely on hockey. He stands near the glass just outside the locker room visualizing more game scenarios.
From now until the final horn sounds, Félix is home. The ice feels natural and comfortable. The mind and the body are ready for battle. There is never a perfect game, but in all contests, he can find highs and lows. Tonight will be no different. At the end of 60 minutes, Félix and his teammates suffer an uncomfortable loss. There is little joy in the locker room and little post-game happiness. The guys talk about effort and mistakes. They talk about what is necessary for the season to continue. Coach shares some insight and the instructions for tomorrow are shared. Shower number four is only moments away.
Félix finally leaves the rink around 10:45 pm and heads for his billet home. A healthy late-night snack is eaten while the mind and the body slowly unwind from a recent battle. Hockey is a very physical game but also a very mental game, both of which cause exhaustion. When good and ready, usually around 12:15 am, Félix heads to bed setting the alarm for 8:00 am tomorrow; another Lumberjack game day. He shuts his eyes, rolls over and gets some rest.
Suddenly, the alarm rings. It’s 8:00 am and game day for Félix St-Onge and his Lumberjack teammates.