Cat's Eye View: Felicia Hardy

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Cat’s Eye View, Article 1: Felicia Hardy 

This is Molly the Cat, retired VHL player and former captain of the London United. After several seasons sitting on the sidelines watching the VHL I have decided it is time for me to come back to the league.  To come back and provide a different perspective related to the goings on in the league, to provide a voice for players to express what is important to them. With that in mind I have reached out to several current players to talk with them about the season, about their play and about anything they find important. My first interview is with HC Davos Dynamo defender Felicia Hardy.  I had the opportunity to meet up with Felicia after their game 4 loss to Moscow Menace in the season 98 playoffs. 

 

Felicia, thanks for taking the time to meet with me.  Unfortunately, this last series didn’t go as you wanted, and you are now on the outside looking in as other pursue the coveted VHL championship.  However, that is not what I want to discuss at this time.  I am wondering if you can talk about how it feels as a professional hockey player to make the playoffs and be working towards everything you have worked hard for and fantasized about? 

 

Molly the Cat, it is great to be here and to be speaking with you today.  Having the chance to play hockey professionally is a great honor.  It is such a fun game and the VHL has the best players in the world.  Having the chance to play night in and night out to win the VHL championship goes beyond words.  This season unfortunately it didn’t happen, but Davos is set to go back and try again next season.  

 

Felicia, let’s change topics, I am wondering if you can talk to us about your process for selecting equipment to play in, I have noticed that you have made some changes over the seasons? 

 

You are correct, I have made some changes over the seasons with my equipment.  I have been working with one of the manufacturers to find a style that fits with my playing style. The biggest thing I have been working on is my skates.  As a defense first defender I spend a lot of time in the shooting lane of top players.  Making sure I have enough protection to block shots is important, but I also need enough flexibility to allow for comfortable top speed skating.   

 

As we don’t have a lot of time left, I want to give you a chance to talk about the fans, when you are playing how important is it for you to hear the fans cheering the team.  Does the opposing team’s fans booing impact you at all. 

 

I don’t think there is any way to properly address how uplifting it is to hear your fans cheering in your arena.  The energy of the stands helps in keeping up the pace when things are getting rough.  Oddly enough the roar of the crowd in an opposition arena can have the same effect.  If your play can pull the opposing fans into the game, it only affirms what you are doing and pushes you to drive harder.  The more I am booed the easier it is for me get the energy to keep going.   

 

Thanks for taking the time to meet with me today and for answering our questions.  We appreciate your candid responses.