Hedican, a former NHL player, understands the challenges of the AHL, the minor leagues, and the journey to the NHL. He has seen firsthand the dedication, hard work, and resilience required to succeed in professional hockey. Hedican’s insights are invaluable to young players who are navigating the same path.
He quickly became a popular figure in the NHL on NBC, becoming a trusted voice for fans and analysts alike. Hedican’s success in broadcasting stemmed from his deep understanding of the game, his ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and concise manner, and his engaging personality. Hedican’s broadcasting career has been marked by several notable achievements. He has been recognized for his contributions to the sport, receiving numerous awards and accolades.
This statement reflects Hedican’s desire for a more holistic and collaborative approach to his career. He wants to contribute beyond just his on-ice performance, and be a part of the team’s overall success. Hedican’s desire for a more collaborative approach is evident in his past experiences.
The Ducks’ new coach, Randy Carlyle, is a veteran coach with a long and successful career. He has coached in the NHL for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience. Carlyle has a reputation for being a tough but fair coach, known for his ability to motivate players and instill a winning mentality.
Cloud State University before entering the NHL. He spent time with the Minnesota Wild, the New York Rangers, and the Philadelphia Flyers. He played in the NHL for 10 years, and then transitioned to coaching.
“Yes, they’ve got a lot of strengths that we can lean into and be able to capitalize on, but it’s also realizing those weaknesses within the game that we can work on to get better.” For many prospects, the AHL can be the first time that they experience significant career turbulence. So many of them have had tremendous success at previous levels only now to hit roadblocks in a league one step removed from the NHL. “They’ve reached a point in their career now where everybody is good,” Hedican said. “It’s not as easy as they thought it was going to be.”
So what might separate a player who makes it from one who falls just short? “The one thing I think is huge is the mental side, the sports psychology side,” Hedican continued. “To lend that perspective to some of these players today, I’m really excited because I don’t know if a lot of players put enough emphasis on it. I know I didn’t as a young player. “As I got older and started to put more emphasis on it, the more I relied upon the mental side of the game, to be able to play with a minute to go with the goaltender pulled in a 2-1 hockey game in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. But I was trained to do that, and I worked on my weaknesses over the course of my career that allowed me to be on the ice then.”
The journey to professional success in any field is rarely straightforward.
“Not too high, not too low… you know, those aren’t just cliches. Those are things that you have to work on and practice on a daily basis. ‘Hey, this is normal. You’re going to have some ups and downs, and this is how we’re going to navigate through it.’”