Tyler Shattock's Daily Journal - Day 1   

Our bus left at just passed 8pm on Wednesday night and we finally arrived in Regina at 10:30am local time Thursday morning. It was a long and fairly uneventful trip, with one pit stop in Swift Current for some McDonalds that we ate on the bus. We watched the movie Wolverine on the bus and it was a good movie, I’d recommend it.

When we arrived in Regina, we went from straight off the bus to on the ice. The Brandt Centre where the Pats play has a concert tonight so we practiced at the Regina Exhibition Stadium. I learned that it was built in 1919 and it showed. The glass was about 2 feet high and the rink had large pillars on each side to hold the building up. I was told today that it is going to be torn down soon as Regina is getting a 6-rink arena.

After practice we arrived at the Sandman hotel, dressed up for a stir fry at Denny’s. My roommate while we are in Regina is 16 year old JC Lipon who is from here. It is great to see how excited he is to be back home and see his family. He must be pretty excited for tomorrow night when we play the Pats.

JC went out with his family in the afternoon, while I stayed at the hotel and had a nap. I slept pretty well on the bus, but a nap was needed. Tonight, we went to Brewster’s and I had a spinach salad which hit the spot. For the rest of the night I will watch Dodgers vs. Phillies game and hopefully get a good sleep in preparation for tomorrow night.

Day 2

When you sleep on the bus for a night, it is a big deal sleeping in a bed. After a great sleep last night, breakfast was at 8am. It is nice having a buffet style breakfast as you get choices. I had a bunch of fresh fruit and passed on the pancakes, eggs and hash browns.

We picked up our gear at Exhibition Stadium this morning at about 9:30am and went to the Brandt Centre for a 20 minute pre game skate at 11:15am. I have never played in this building; because I broke my leg when I was 17 so couldn’t play. Once we got back to the hotel it was nap time for a couple hours before a 2:30pm meal which was salad, pasta with white or red sauce, chicken and garlic bread.  

I enjoy sleeping on game days, so I got in one more hour nap before we leave for the rink. Toledo does an unreal job of making our dressing room feel like were at home. We each have a piece of carpet with our Blazer B logo in front of our stalls and our names are above our stalls.  

Tonight’s game was big; we wanted to start the road trip off right. It was a back and forth game and a good character comeback win scoring late to tie. I thought we really wanted this one as we were all over them in overtime. Feels great to start off with a win, the guys are pumped. We didn’t win a game out east the last time I was here so it means a lot. 

After the game we went to Luigi’s and had some more pasta and chicken. There was no shoe checks tonight couldn’t seem to get anybody. Tomorrow we are off to Brandon so it will be a long day, but looking forward to carrying on the momentum from the win tonight.

Day 3

Sunday - Day off

Day 4

After a tough game in Brandon last night we arrived in Moose Jaw at about 2am, unloaded are gear at the rink and checked into the hotel. We were able to sleep in today until about 10:30 am and than had some breakfast at the hotel in Moose Jaw.

We went to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw today and took the Chicago Connection tour. It is a pretty cool tour as they re-enact everything as if we were in the 1920s. During the tour, we learned about how Al Capone was allegedly hiding out in Moose Jaw and “bootlegging” alcohol to the United States during the prohibition years.     

After the Tunnels I went to Boston Pizza with Zak Stebner, Shayne Wiebe and Mark Hall. It was nice today that we don’t practice and that we have some free time. The road can be real structured with meals, meetings and practices all at specific times. Having an independent or free day was nice.

The high school guys had a school session today with our education advisor Vic Bifano. We like to give the school guys a hard time, because when they study the older guys get to hang out. Tonight, we went to Bonanza for dinner where we had a sandwich and fries as well as the salad bar. The guys really enjoyed Bonanza.

Tonight some of the guys and I plan to watch the Dodgers vs. Phillies game. I am cheering for the Phillies but our trainer Colin “Toledo” Robinson is a huge Dodgers fan. He doesn’t know I am cheering for the Phillies, it might make him angry. Well that is it for today, check back tomorrow.

Day 5

Today is what I would call a typical day before we play. The breakfast we had at 9am was just a light one. There was fresh fruit, cereal, toast and pancakes to choose from. I don’t have one set breakfast I eat, so it’s always nice to have some variety.

After breakfast, it was straight to the rink where are ice was supposed to be at 11am. Luckily we were there by 9:30am because the ice time somehow was changed without anyone knowing to 10am. Anyways, we had a tough practice which was expected after our performance Saturday. We need to be more consistent on the ice.  

This is the second time I have been to Moose Jaw and I love the rink. The ice is great, and the visiting dressing room is terrific, much better than Kelowna’s believe it or not. I can see why they are getting a new rink, but it is a nice change to play at a rink like the Moose Jaw Civic Centre. We don’t experience rinks like that in the Western Conference.  

Following practice we had steak sandwiches for lunch and had basically the whole afternoon to ourselves. High school guys had to study again today. I was on facebook today and talked to Ryan Hanes for a bit. He seems to be feeling better, and definitely wants to be here with us. The rest of the afternoon I just hung out with some of the guys and watched the Angels and Yankees. Very pleased that the Angels won! 

Tonight for dinner we went to Boston Pizza and had pasta and chicken. We gave out a couple fines to some guys tonight. JC Lipon wore white socks with his suit, (because we hid all of his black socks!). The other one was for Brandon Underwood who left his dress shoes on the bus, so wore sneakers instead. 

The rest of the night will be spent watching the Oilers and Canucks. I am disappointed because the Phillies and Dodgers game is not on TV. I am going to have to follow them online. Go Phillies! 

Day 6

Today is a pretty uneventful day, as the only thing to focus on is the game tonight. It has been nice to have sometime to unwind the last couple days and bond with the guys. We all get along pretty well so it was good to not have much hockey the last couple days.

Breakfast was at 9am today, following breakfast it was to the rink for a pre game skate. The pre game skates are always quick and efficient. We just run through some systematic stuff and just make some passes and take some shots. After the pre game skate it was nap time until we eat at 2:30pm. 

Thinking about the game tonight, we know it is going to be tough, Moose Jaw has been playing fairly well and they are a quick and skilled team. Their building is intimidating to play in too, as the fans are right on you. 

Our assistant coaches Scott Ferguson and Geoff Smith do a pre-scout sheet for us which runs through Moose Jaw’s systems, their lines, points and a summary of each players attributes. The pre-scouts are great for us as they us more aware of what is going on.  

We played a solid game tonight. This was definitely the best game of the road trip so far. The outcome wasn’t what we were looking for but we battled and stuck together as a team. Their fans are crazy, they were all over the referees and us all night.  

The mood is pretty good tonight because we played well. Tonight’s post game meal is a roast beef meal. We eat well on the road! Dalibor Bortnak and I are having a big debate. He thinks Russia will win the Olympic Hockey, and I say Canada of course. Russia has no defenseman. Anyways, that’s all for tonight.

Day 7

Another game day today, we stayed in Moose Jaw last night, and will bus to Swift Current this afternoon as it’s only about an hour and a half away. Breakfast today, was 9am as usual and after breakfast we went to the rink to pack up our gear.

After loading everything on the bus, we had about a 30 minute video session today that broke down the game last night. We have some work to do. Video really is a great tool to learn from, when you actually see how things happened. We need the puck more to start generating more chances.  

As it is game day today I napped for the rest of the day until our pre game meal at 3pm. Today, Scott Ferguson decided that we would eat like the marines do. That means all the rookies eat first followed by second year players and so on. As I am the captain, I ate last. The usual way we decide who eats first is by seniority, just how it is with seats on the bus. The meal today was as usual, chicken and pasta before we go to Swift Current.  

It was a sunny day today and the trip to Moose Jaw and Swift Current is pretty boring. I listen to music on the bus which is what most guys do. Tough to look outside as their really is no scenery. We arrived at the rink 2 hours before game time today. I felt good going into the game, are guys were upbeat and ready to go. 

Too many lapses seem to cost us. We just can’t seem to get everything working for 60 minutes. I am very disappointed about tonight; we have lost 3 in a row now and it’s just not acceptable. This is a tough road trip against some very good teams, but the results are not good enough. 

Well, it’s going to be a quiet ride to Saskatoon tonight. Tomorrow we have a chance to regroup, practice and hopefully get things back on track.

Day 8

We arrived in Saskatoon about 2am last night and after dropping our gear off at the rink we got into bed by about 3am. The 8:45am breakfast came early this morning, but we had to get to the rink in time for 10am practice. These are the days that are tough though with not a lot of sleep.

I didn’t practice today, last night in the third period I was kneed and ended up with a charley horse. I iced it today and stretched it out with the help of our trainer Toledo. He isn’t sure if I can play tomorrow night in Prince Albert. I really do want to play but we will see how it feels tomorrow. 

Today was mostly a free day after practice. Mark Hall and I spent the day with Zak Stebner (who is from Saskatoon) and his family. He showed us around his hometown and took us to the mall. We also picked up his brother from school today. It was nice for him because he can’t do these things in Kamloops.  

We have no cell phones right now. This is something that is normal on the road though. I like the idea of it because it allows us to socialize with the guys and focus more on the task at hand. 

Tonight I have spent the night watching the Angels and Yankees. What a game it was, I can’t believe how the Yankees battled back. I am pretty happy right now that the Angels still pulled it out. The ideal World Series would be the Phillies vs. Angels! 

A trick was played on one of the guys at the end of practice today. As I couldn’t practice I was on the bench, loosened the top of a water bottle; so when someone drank out of it the water would dump on them. Matej Bene was the victim today! We need still have our fun to lighten everyone up a little.

Day 9

This morning, we ate breakfast at 9am, had a meeting and then went for a team walk. Our meeting today focused around our systems. We have changed a couple of things so we reviewed our forecheck, neutral zone and defensive zone. Our coach Barry Smith ran the meeting and gave us every opportunity to ask questions and so forth.

I had a great sleep last night and felt really good this morning. I will also find out today whether I can play or not, but its not looking good. After Toledo looked at it and tested me out, I was unable to move properly without a ton of pain. So I wouldn’t be able to play tonight and probably not tomorrow night either.

This is the first time I am going to have to sit out for a long time, not since I had that 1 game suspension last year. It is tough to watch your team play, I want to be out there so bad so I can help the guys out. We are going through a tough time so it sucks that I can’t be out there battling with the guys. 

One person who is always good for a laugh is our trainer Toledo. He decided he would cheer me up by modelling all his new Islander gear. A friend of his left it in Saskatoon for him, so Toledo modelled his new hat and shirt as well as some pucks. The Islanders were in Saskatoon during training camp and the exhibition season.  

I am sitting out with CJ Stretch tonight who was suspended for 4 games for a hit in Swift Current. This is the first time Stretch has not played in a while too, we both feel the same way, disappointed.  

The game tonight was not good. I am disappointed in our effort and everything about it. Its so frustrating to watch what we are going through as a team right now. I know things will be alright, we just have to battle through this.

Day 10

Well today is game day again and I won’t be playing tonight. We are a bit of a banged up team now as Shayne Wiebe, Dalibor Bortnak, Ryan Hanes and Colin Smith are all not playing right now. Add in CJ Stretch being suspended for 3 more games and we only have 19 players for tonight.

 We had breakfast this morning at 9 and went to the rink following breakfast. Instead of doing a pre game skate we had a video session pointing out different things from our previous game in Prince Albert. Watching some of that game again was just awful. It’s tough to sit and watch right now.  

Since I am not playing tonight, napping and preparing like I usually do is not necessary today. Our trainer Toledo stretched me out again, but doesn’t want to risk me playing yet because if I get hit there again I might be out long term. I know I will be healthy and ready to play next Friday at home against Chilliwack though. 

Our pre game meal today was awesome it was a chicken lasagna, and I bet only half the guys finished it because it was so huge. We had to pack up all our stuff today as we are going home following the game tonight. 

We were definitely short staffed tonight and it showed. Our effort was average at best though which again is disappointing. Just because we are missing guys doesn’t make for any excuses. 

After 6 cities, 3 hotels in 9 nights and 2 nights on the bus it is nice to be home. Our bus driver Brennan “CC” Driedger did a great job driving us around. He is our regular driver and always gets us to places quick and safe. Our assistant coach Scott Ferguson also drives the bus so he helped out when needed as well. 

Now its time to get our team back on track.