There's a ceiling when it comes to genetics. I'm a huge believer in the mind. I feel like anticipation is a key to the success of the game and I feel that's where I thrive. Being able to anticipate, prepare and live in the details of the game.
The single most important thing is to know the game. Study the history of the game, the fine points of the game, and the personalities of the game so you'll be able to recognize what they're doing out there and then you'll be able to anticipate certain things that are going to happen.
I try to avoid all mistakes. I try to prepare my players and to put them in the best condition to play the game. If you discover a problem during the game, it is too late. You must anticipate and prepare.
One of the key qualities that you need to be a great hockey player is fantastic anticipation and feel for the game - if you know where the puck is going before it is hit, that is half the battle.
My game is - and I'm not saying I'm slow or anything like that, but my game is mental. My game is shooting; my game is efficiency. If I'm healthy, I feel like I can be effective for a long time.
I feel like I can be a great defensive player when I put my mind to it for the whole game, not just half the game.
If it's a nationally televised game in the past, and I've been scoring 6, 7 and 8 points, I feel like I had a bad game in my mind.
The key to success is hard work. You want to feel as comfortable as you can going into the game, and you do that by preparing well.
The live setting is always better for me. I usually thrive at live. I feel like having a band behind me and being able to interact with the crowd helps boost my energy up.
It is always a danger when you have a big game ahead, but there is only one way to prepare well for our Champions League game - and that is to do well tomorrow. Therefore, I feel there is a lot at stake for us tomorrow. It is a massive game for us.
As an organization, I think you owe it to the vast majority of people who go to the game and want to watch the game and enjoy the game and feel good about bringing their kids or their wife or their grandma to the game.
There's times in games where I feel like I can manipulate and control the game by doing a lot of things. And then there's times where I feel like I'm not inside the flow of the game.
To me, I feel that my game is strong. I feel as thought I'm a shining prince, just like Malcolm, and I feel that all of us are shining princes, and if we live like princes, then whatever we want can be ours. Anything.
As a fan, you want to be able to go to a football game, you want to feel secure, you want to be able to just watch the game, root for your team, and that's the way it should be.
I've definitely grown as a leader - being able to speak up, getting closer with coach and being on the same page, communicating and being more involved in the game plan and the checks throughout the game. Seeing the game a little bit better.
I still love the game. I still feel like I'm a 25-year-old. I really still love the game and feel as enthusiastic about the game as I ever have felt about it.
I've always noticed how the Fenway fans get behind the pitcher, especially late in the game if you're having a good game, or if you have two strikes on a hitter, they really start to chant and anticipate a strikeout. And that's the best part about playing in Boston and at Fenway. There are knowledgeable fans who anticipate the flow of the game and they can really help out the pitcher.