I really don't know how those NHL guys play so hard night after night. All of a sudden, I'm going a lot faster out there (on the ice) than I used to and bumping into a lot more people. Does that mean I'm playing better defense? I don't know but I do know that I'm more sore than I've ever been. Last night at practice, I took out our new star defenseman pretty hard, landing right on my ass. Pads only go so far. Later, during a scrimmage, I clocked somebody in the corner, knocking my ankle and elbow pretty good.

I'm ready for a non-checking day.