A SLUMP IS…..

Just a slump! Art or hockey, it makes no difference except one slump has an infectious effect. If you make your living from a creative skill (and professional athletes really do have to be creative and self-motivating) you hit periods where you’re not as productive as you’d like to be.

The Hawks won a lot of games early this season, many times (IMO) because they had a lot of ‘jump’ right out of the gate and set teams back on their heels. This young group enjoyed the rush of victory, but with it came the deluge of notoriety, swarming fans (who usually only heap praise in face to face meetings), public appearances, hectic schedules and the pressure of now being expected to win. Could they have gotten a little full of themselves? DO YOU THINK????? Who wouldn’t? Could they have lost a step from being over exposed? I can’t blame ‘em! Does it effect everybody? No, not directly, but if you’re on a line with a guy at less than his best it does filter over to you. Case in point: my wife is an excellent tennis player and I just got off the court with her. She was AWFUL tonight. I felt great, but she still brought MY game down with hers. This isn’t an excuse-it’s a fact of sports even with veteran teams. Nearly every Stanley Cup winner that comes to mind has gone through a slump during their season.

I’ve spoken before about what a great group of personalities we have here, but sometimes I think the strain of being “on” during the off-ice hours can be more of a strain than folks-or even the players themselves-realize. For those who think being a professional athlete is a glamorous life I have this bit of news-it’s NOT-at least not during the season. Here’s a little something I’ve noticed lately.

This week I deliberately sent all the artwork to be autographed for Blackhawk’s Charity up to the UC office to be autographed. As many of you know, I usually take care of that myself after practice-but not right now. Right now, practice ought to be about practice and nothing else. I found myself in the locker room last week, summoned in by one of the players about some artwork. I purposely try to be as unobtrusive as possible, yet there I was in the locker room. I’d become the very thing I resent-an intruder. Players shouldn’t have to be polite or accommodating to anyone ‘after work’ if they don’t feel like it. In spite of what fans, management or their agents may believe, their job is to win hockey games-nothing more. Lately some players have been rushing off the ice and rushing out to cars without acknowledging the fans (and professional collectors) plaintiff pleas for autographs.

Here’s my advice to the players:
Acknowledge the fans, friends and family. Be polite, but be honest and get it off your chest.
“Sorry, not in the mood today!”
“Sorry, I’m exhausted!”
“Can you NOT see how pissed-off I am right now?”
“Why the hell would I give you my stick?”
“Sorry, I think I’ve signed about a thousand things for you, we’re done!”

Guys, whether it’s me, the fans, or even your folks-remember that you are professional hockey players and your only real job is to win hockey games. Fans want wins, baby! We need ‘em. We’ve waited a long time for ‘em. Do what ever it takes to get ‘em. Go into hiding. Cancel all public appearances. Watch a Slapshot marathon! Enjoy a friggin concert if it means you'll have more jump tomorrow! Make it fun again!!!
Winning is work, but its also a hell of a lot of fun.
Go Hawks!!!!
-tib