Luc Tessier - What is a "Veteran"?

[KC15 340]

As Luc Tessier wraps up his 3^rd season with Davos and looks forward to his 4^th in S81 he has been asked by a journalist to reflect on what it means to be a “veteran” in the VHL. Luc is not so sure he is a veteran. What defines that? Is it a certain number of years in the league only? If so, is 3 seasons enough? Or does it have to do with learning the game and being a leader? If so, when have you reached that level of play to be called a veteran?

 

Sure, some things are clearly different for Tessier this season as opposed to his rookie season. He knows the feel of the Davos ice and where things are located in the dressing room and around the arena. He is comfortable living in Davos – in fact loves living so close to his native France. Though there are always new faces on a professional hockey team as people come and go via draft or trade, but he knows the people in the room.

 

But is he a true veteran? Tessier doesn’t think so. His play hasn’t improved enough for him to feel comfortable as a real leader in the locker room. Too many others have more seasons under their belt than he does – or are playing at a higher level with the same amount of experience – for Tessier to feel comfortable calling someone out for sloppy play or giving too much advice to younger players. He is happy helping the rookies get used to the culture of the Dynamo, but nothing more.

 

One thing that has changed though is expectations from the team and from fans. Both have been fairly patient knowing that hockey is a difficult game. It takes time for a player to mature into what he can become. On the other hand, when he came through the doors in S78 all of the talk was about potential. Now there is a growing discussion about reaching that potential. Luc understands that’s part of the game, but he is getting a little nervous. Is he going to realize his potential or will he always be that one for whom it never really came together. That worries him and he knows he was probably squeezing the stick a bit too tightly down the stretch.

 

Luc feels that he needs to use the offseason for more than working on this on-ice game. That practice will come. But he also needs to use the time to get his head together. He needs to come into S81 relaxed enough to play into his game and become the true veteran he longs to be.

 

444 words

 

[JardyB10 4,865]

Tessier's production may be below expectations, but keep doing what you're doing and things will click eventually! At the very least you'll be giving Davos a point per game player, which is something every team needs! At the very least, you'll be doing better than Poopy Peepants