OG the Stone Wall

[fonziGG 1,065]

Here is an interview Olivier Gauthier did at the end of the season. Olivier was very honest in this interview and really shared the details behind his season and his play. Especially the background work that goes into having a strong season as a goalie in the VHLM. Olivier was also a class act as an athlete and as a human being. He was suggesting going even more in-depth when he absolutely did not need to do that at all. We're so grateful to have had such an amazing experience with him. We wish him nothing but the absolute best in the playoffs and honestly, I will be rooting for him and the Marlins to win it all.

 

I: You've been playing at an incredibly high level this season - what do you attribute your success to?

 

OG: Mostly my teammates and coaches. My teammates have been willing to work extra hard with me by staying back on goalie sessions. The coaching staff has been hard-working as ever and has helped me more than I can even imagine. The Prague GM has mentioned a few times that there's a solid shot that if I keep this momentum up, I could end up becoming the backup up there as I've shown the right tools. The training camp in Prague has shown me that they're just as hard-working and knowledgeable as the coaching staff in San Diego.

 

I: How do you stay focused and maintain your composure during high-pressure situations, such as penalty kills or crucial games?

OG: I train for moments like this. Between high-pressure training and team bonding sessions where we share what we need from each other in those moments... I think I'm covered in that regard. To go a little more in-depth about it, I remind myself that I'm the best god damn goalie in the VHLM. I'm here to prove myself in those big moments. Those are career-defining, player-defining, and outcome-defining. I also remind myself daily that I want to be remembered for my career and be a role model for future generations.

 

I: Can you describe your pre-game routine, and how it contributes to your performance on the ice?

OG:  I mainly make sure the night before I had a good high-carb meal. On the day of, I wake up and make sure I get a quick and light workout in. Something to get my blood flowing. I also make sure I take a walk in the sun and get around 30-40 minutes of sun exposure in the morning. Once I get into the facility, I make sure I put some good music on and I get into my zone. I make sure I have a meal and I get a quick stretch in. Before I start dressing for the game, I make sure I get some mental work in with music and I get into the zone.

 

I: How do you analyze and prepare for opposing players and their tendencies, both as individuals and as a team?

OG: I primarily don't. My team definitely does a lot of video work to see how to not be fooled mid-game. I personally, do not do that at all. The only training I do when it comes to player tendencies is penalty shots. It's good to know what every player has in their toolbox. If they fool me, it's because they did something brand new. Sometimes, the boys will run drills and see how we react to certain players doing certain things. We make sure that teams also have to adjust to our play, primarily. We want to be so dominating as a team that they need to adjust to us. This has worked for us this season and we've made fast teams look slow and big teams look small. 

 

I: You've been playing in the league for 2 seasons now - how has your approach to the game evolved over time?
 

OG: At first, I was a complete moron. I thought I could totally depend on my own talent and skill. Absolutely not the case by any means. I would wake up late, do 0 preparation and just step onto the ice. Over the first season, I started being advised on how to approach game days and immediately I would see major steps forward to see huge gains. Eventually, I started getting some advice from the Huberman Labs podcast and introduced those things into my life and they have made some HUGE progressions for me and it's why this season has been such a huge one for me.

 

I: What kind of feedback do you look for from your coaches and teammates, and how does that feedback help you improve your game?
 

OG: Truthfully, I really want to know what they think I did wrong and why. I love having an open dialogue with my teammates and coaches, primarily because I want them to understand why I made that decision. Maybe it's something I did wrong and maybe it's something they did wrong. Ultimately, we communicate positively and know that ultimately we just want to win the friggin game. We're here to win. Not to lose and if all of our intentions align, obviously, we are here to improve each other to victories.

 

I: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the rest of the season, and how do you plan to achieve them?
 

OG: I'm here to win games. I'm here to put up one of the best goaltending performances the league has ever seen and I'm here to win a cup. If any athlete tells you otherwise, they're wrong. Extremely wrong or they're insanely delusional. Why would you become an athlete if you're not going to compete? My short-term goals align with me this season in order to take steps for a larger goal in general. I want to play in the VHL. I want to become one of the best goaltenders in this generation. Thats some hefty goals. In order for me to get there, I need to be diligent. Which I have been.

 

1008 words

Edited May 15, 2023 by fonziGG

[fonziGG 1,065]

Claiming for second week.