Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1475892
Family Time/Rest/Recovery Time With 82 games in the regular season, plus a potential for up to four rounds of a best-to-seven series and a tireless travel schedule, there's no question that as soon as the locker room gets cleaned out, it's time for some R-and-R for all players. "There needs to be a rest cycle to a player's schedule," said Minnesota Wild head athletic trainer John Worley. "We saw how long the Stanley Cup went and with summertime we all become a little less stringent and more flexible, which is welcomed. "So I would say absolutely that a rest and recovery component is very important and vital for every player." Worley, a Philadelphia native who spent 11 seasons as the athletic trainer with the Flyers before joining the Wild in 2009, said especially after the bumps and bruises naturally given during the grueling NHL schedule, a player who doesn't rest is only going to hurt himself. "You have some young guys, 18, 19, 20, or early 20s who might not need as much time off as a guy in his late 20s," Worley said. "But to go straight from the season into continued strenuous workouts is not safe, wise, or really often done in the first place." Without a break, players can put them- selves in a position to worsen current injuries, or suffer a new injury, which creates more problems than good includ- ing further missed time come the regular season. No one wants to miss the start of training camp come September. Carolina defenseman Jake Gardiner knows how hard it can be to sit out with injury. The 32-year-old missed the entire 2021-22 season after having hip and back surgeries. He has not played a game since May 10, 2021, but was cleared to return to play in early June. "It was hard," said Gardiner, who has spent 10 seasons in the NHL. "I've worked my butt off and done countless treatments and rehabs and exercises to be ready to get back." For New York Islanders center Brock Nelson, the offseason brings some long-awaited family time. "Now we're busy with kids," said the 30-year-old, who has a son, Beckett, and daughter Addy. "I try to play some golf and tennis. Enjoy the summer with family, be outside, especially here in Minnesota and chase the little ones around. It goes fast, so trying to enjoy it as much as I can." 20 // AUGUST 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM GAME BREAKS NHLers Share Their Favorite Offseason Workouts Brock Nelson, N.Y. Islanders: Tennis Brady Skjei, Carolina Hurricanes: Golf Jake Gardiner, Carolina Hurricanes: Tennis Blake Lizotte, L.A. Kings: Golf and playing PIG on the off-ice shooting Charlie Coyle, Boston Bruins: Playing with his two golden retrievers (walks etc.) K'Andre Miller, N.Y. Rangers: Anything on the lake Others: Yoga, wakesurfing, biking, kayaking WHETHER IT'S SPENDING TIME ON THE GOLF COURSE OR COMPETING IN DA BEAUTY LEAGUE, BRADY SKEJI KNOWS THE SUMMER IS A BALANCING ACT OF REST, RECOVERY AND GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER NHL SEASON. Matt Harder, Minnesota Wild strength and conditioning coach I think it is super important to take some time away. You don't want to burn out." PHOTOS BY TeMo Photography A ME BREAK! GIVE