To make it to the top, professional athletes have to dedicate a tremendous amount of not only time, but their persons to their craft. From playing to training to learning, the sport nearly fully encompasses players.
Hockey is more often times than not, the most severe example. The sport demands a tremendous amount of skill and effort and the culture is one of full commitment.
But hockey players can still be more than their sport. I spoke to a few of the prospects who attended the Carolina Hurricanes 2023 Prospect Development Camp to see what outside of hockey they enjoy.
Read the rest of my development camp coverage:
Day 1 Notebook / Quotebook
Day 2 Notebook
Day 3 Notebook
Day 4 Notebook / Quotebook
As one would expect, not everyone escapes the cliches...
Jayden Perron
“Golf is kind of a thing I’ve gotten into. I know it’s pretty standard for hockey players, but I’ve definitely been golfing a lot at home. I played in the Bahamas this year so that was kind of fun thing I was able to do with my buddy Nick Moldenhauer with the Chicago Steel. That was a lot of fun.”
Bradly Nadeau
“I like golfing. Just getting outside and going and having fun on the course."
Josh Nadeau
“I play a lot of golf. I love the game of golf. I probably have to go with that. I just started two years ago. I’m not playing everywhere, just at the same one. I play at Penticton a lot. Great spot. At home, I cross the border because it’s just five minutes away from me. It’s a great little course. I don’t need much because I’m not that good yet.”
Jackson Blake
“So I’m from Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, so I love to go on the lake, but I also try to play golf every single day too. Those are the two main things I do in the summer. I’m a member at Bearpath [Golf Country Club]. That’s where I play. I try to play there everyday, but the course is closed on Monday, so we don’t play on Mondays. That’s our day off. Other than that, me and my buddies try to play every single day.”
Aleksi Heimosalmi
“I like to play golf. I suck, but I try to practice more."
While golf is the golden standard for hockey player pastimes, sports in general seem to be a beloved activity.
It's pretty apparent that sports people love sports and so you get a lot of bleed over into additional ones outside of hockey.
Aleksi Heimosalmi
"Basketball is really nice too. I like to play that in the summer. I just play with my friends. I don’t know that much about basketball players or the NBA, but I do like to play.”
[Are you a shooter?] “No, I’m driving. I can’t shoot.”
Bradly Nadeau
"I used to play baseball too. That’s something I enjoy. If I can play for fun, I still like to go out there on the field.”
Patrik Hamrla
“I like all the sports. So golf, tennis. During my free time I’m trying to do everything. Sports are my biggest hobbies."
[If you had to choose just one?] “I like soccer. So maybe soccer. Not to be a goalie, but playing soccer as a player would be good. Probably a defenseman. It’s a good position. My favorite team from the Czech is Sparta Prague but from the world I really like Bayern Munich."
Felix Unger Sorum
“I like to watch and play soccer with my friends. Before hockey games or practices, that’s my biggest hobby I would say.”
[Who's your team?] "Liverpool in England. I like them.”
Another favorite hobby among the prospects seemed to be an interest in reading, although some were a bit more enthusiastic about it than others...
Justin Robidas
“I read a little bit.
Jakub Vondras
"I like reading. I read self improvement books.”
Bryce Montgomery
“I love to read actually. I’m a big reader."
[What kind of books do you like to read?] "A lot. Fiction, non-fiction, self development, all that stuff.”
[Do you have a favorite book?] "The Alchemist. I really liked that book. There’s another one called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, which just talks about being present and how that translates to every part of life. Stuff like that I really like. It can be every single topic, it doesn’t really matter. I’m at Barnes and Nobles a lot just kind of looking at stuff. I’m going to be the guy who has a whole library by the time he’s 25. I’ve got a membership and everything so I just love going down there and getting stuff.”
A few of the prospects also expanded out with a few more unique interests as well.
Justin Robidas
"I want to learn the guitar. I’m a big country fan so in the next year maybe, I’d like to maybe do that and take some lessons and see where that goes.”
[Who's your top artist right now?] Luke Combs or Morgan Wallen.”
Bryce Montgomery
"I started to get into fishing too recently. Nothing too crazy, but I am kind of into everything. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, working out, stuff like that. Learning about new things.”
Nikita Quapp
“I’m from Berlin, Germany. In the city there’s a lot to do usually, so after practice we just go for lunch or coffee and we just walk around in the city. There’s so much stuff to see and the city’s always buzzing.”
And of course, some things are always bigger than the sport.
Patrik Hamrla
"Spending time with family and friends too is something I enjoy. I’m not at home very often so if I have free time or when I’m not with the team, I’m trying to be with my family.”
Jakub Vondras
“I have a dog so I really like spending time with him. He’s a Labrador and his name is Buddy. I saw Air Bud when I was young and right then I had decided that my first dog would be named Buddy.”