Hockey Chat:  Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers in the 1930’s won the Lady Bing Trophy for most sportsmanlike conduct 7 times.  Lady Bing herself actually gave him the trophy to keep permanently because he had won it so often.  You would think with that kind of clout he could get away with stuff on the ice saying, “But I am considered a good guy by my awards so I can’t be in penalty trouble for something I did.”  That didn’t work to well. He still tallied up 20 penalty minutes in just 44 games in one season after winning the award and that being the only year he was denied it within 8 years.

Hockey Chat: A goalie’s skill is part physical and part mental.  The better physical shape they are, the better they can make quick moves to cover the net.  But the most important thing to do is to keep focused.  They keep in control and keep their mind clear of all the commotion going on all around them.  If they give into it, they’ll be off their game and out of place.

You would think that after winning three Super Bowls in four years that Tom Brady and his bunch would be satisfied with their accomplishments. Not quite. In a post-game interview with Andrea Kremer of ESPN, Brady said that he was not content with what they had done. Happy? Yes. But there was room to grow and get better. I am sure there are Patriot players who will relax and relish in their victory, but Tom Brady will get back to work soon. He wants to accomplish more and more.

As athletes, we’re likely more skilled in our sport today than when we first started playing. After we initially picked up that ball or held that hockey stick or bat, we made the choice to practice and play and to improve and grow.

As college athletes, my teammates and I chose to work on our individual skills and watch game film to improve and be prepared for upcoming games. We chose to grow every day so that we could continue to help our team be successful.