Ask Dan Question & Answer

(An index of subjects covered on the Q & A page of the web site,

 the Newsletters, and Dan and Jay's books  can be found on the

 Index of Subjects page)

Question #113:
Dear Dan: I wanted to know if skating in your backyard made a big difference in your NHL career? I live in the South and I can't skate in my backyard in the winter. Although I do shoot pucks in the garage for 3-4 hours a day, I still don't have that opportunity to have an ice pond. I've played since I was 3. H.C.

P.S. So You Want to Play in the NHL is my favorite book.

Dan Replies:
Dear H.C.: I think the rink we had in our back yard made all the difference in the world and I wouldn't have made to the NHL without it. Most of my teammates had a pond in their back yard or in the neighborhood as well. We all had a place we could practice by the hour, play shinny, three on three, Show Down for the deciding goal in the Stanley Cup final game, etc. For me, it was the competition against my three older brothers in the backyard ice rink that allowed me to develop my skills and advance in the game.

Does that mean you can't make it to the NHL? By no means. You have something that I didn't have... you have roller blades plus a climate where you can rollerblade the year 'round. Your backyard ice rink can be your drive way or a nearby parking lot.

But remember what I say in the book about taking a break from hockey and that to be a great hockey player you need to be a great athlete and you become a great athlete by playing all the sports.

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