The value placed on success, the endless effort it demands and “fleeting” joy it brings, is something he has grappled with along the way.
The European Continental Cup he helped Panthers win earlier this season, and the Challenge Cup up for grabs when they play the Blaze, are moments of his career he has learned to cherish.
Being sat on a private jet as an NHL player for the first time taught him that.
“On that plane back after the first game I was like ‘wow, this is incredible’, but what’s next?” he reflected.
“I didn’t realise I’d feel like that, and I thought ‘dang I’ve just spent 15 years to get here and now I’m thinking now what?’
“That moment made me realise it wasn’t even about getting there, but more about proving to myself I can do it and all the moments in between.
“We talked about this in the locker room today, about getting so caught up in chasing this, chasing that, trying to achieve this and that, you sometimes forget to sit down to just enjoy it and be present with everyone.
“There are not many moments in your life or career where you actually get to remember winning something. I don’t think about the medals or silverware; it’s about doing something that no-one can ever take away from you.
“Understanding that helps you forge those connections with your team-mates and people in the organisation, not the medal you get to put up on your wall or eventually down in your basement where no-one ever sees it.”
