Staying in hockey shape is never easy. But during the holiday season it can be even more challenging. As the Egg Nog flows, the pie crusts brown, and the roasts sizzle, athletes are as vulnerable to the temptation of holiday overindulgence as you and I … but for hockey players, overeating can lead to under-performing on the ice.
Case in point: Colorado College’s men’s hockey team experienced a steep slide midway through last season, posting a 2-7-2 record in their final eleven games. In an effort to keep his team in shape this year, Colorado head coach Scott Owens consulted nutritionist and USA Hockey Magazine contributor Dave Ellis to help implement a Healthy Eating program for the team in the summer and for the 2007-08 season.
As Kate Crandall of Colorado Springs’ The Gazette writes (click here for full article):
The results have been remarkable, especially for centers Chad Rau and Andreas Vlassopoulos, who started on Ellis’ plan at the beginning of the summer. When the pair returned to campus for preseason training, the rest of the Tigers wanted to know their secret.
“They saw how well it worked for us and how quick it worked, so I think they were open to listen and see if they could incorporate anything [Ellis] said,” said Rau.
Vlassopoulos, who set out to cut body fat during the summer, said he has experienced less pain in his right knee, which he dislocated in his first game as a freshman.
“This summer really helped me out a lot,” said the redshirt sophomore, a native of Los Angeles. “My knee felt better too because I didn’t really have that much weight on it.”
“There are a few guys on our team that can eat whatever they want and still look fine,” he said. “But I know for myself, I definitely have to watch what I eat, especially over Christmas break … I followed that diet to a T.”
I can certainly vouch for the impact of weight on knees–I blew out my right knee in the 90s and had my ACL replaced; I still have a 90% tear in my other knee that I’ve rehabbed. Sometimes I slack a bit on the workouts for a few weeks (okay, more like skip them completely); the first way my body chastises me is via aching knees. Carrying a bit less weight can make a world of difference for anyone, and has an even greater effect on athletes.
A regimented diet is of course easier to implement across the board in college than for professionals; as adults, players are left to make decisions about what and how much to eat, though the Capitals do provide guidance. According to the Director of Media Relations Nate Ewell, the Caps’ training staff “supervises menus for the charter flights, team meals, etc., with some consultation from an outside nutritionist. They are also a resource for players looking to plan their own meals.”
How have the Capitals been dealing with the temptation to cut loose at holiday feasts? I asked Brian Pothier about what he found hardest to resist: “It’s my sweet tooth,” he replied, “chocolate, cake, anything I can get my hands on.” Then again, it’s not just during the holidays that players have to watch what they eat. “[Holidays] are tough, yeah,” said Tom Poti, ”but the trainers don’t want us to over-indulge at any time.”
So as the New Year is upon us–my thoughts (and self) as far away from a gym as possible–I raise my bottle of Keith’s Amber to the Capitals and to all OFB readers: Best wishes for success in 2008, and save the last glass of eggnog for me!
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