From Russia to Mexico City??

[PenKnight 23]

(546 Words for April 29 to May 5)

 

 

 

 

Usually, one does not think about Russians moving to Mexico. However, in this instance, that is exactly what has happened to the rookie Derek England of the VHLM for the Mexico City Kings. Not an easy transition from the icy city of Oryol to the warmer climate of the Mexico City but Derek England has told us that he is making due. He has stated that when he gets homesick or needs to get some relief he just heads out to the practice facility to work on drills and get that frozen feel of the ice that he loves. The language barrier hasn't been much of a problem since most of the players and management speak English and Derek is fluent enough to understand or get his point across. We asked him if he was having any issues and he has told us that he hasn't. He has, for the most part stayed relatively quiet with the mindset to work hard on his TPE and get in shape for the start of the new season.

 

A strong believer in conditioning, Derek has been in the weight room or on the ice weaving around cones and going in circles. He has been seen doing as much forward skating as backwards as he has noted that playing on defense it is usually more important to be strong at skating backwards first. He was telling us about his regiment with diet and juicing and is a firm believer in eating certain types of food and drinking a half a gallon to a full gallon of juice per day. The most important equipment that he has is his two juicers and his high speed blender to make smoothies and such. He has been getting into making fresh soups and salads but puts an emphasis on soups stating that they are one of the best ways to get nutrition into his body. One thing that he has cheated with is the street vendors. He says that it is a wonderful thing to walk around the city and see and smell all the fresh food cooking right in front of him. At times it is a little bit too spicy for him but he says it is worth it in the end.

 

Derek was talking to us about how being picked up on an expansion team is kinda strange and difficult. He hasn't met all of his teammates just yet and has been told the team is still in the process of being put together. Although the season starts in only two days from now Derek isn't too troubled about internal affairs. He has the mindset that those problems are for management and he has complete trust in their capabilities. First thing is first as he has told us is to worry about playing his position to the best of his ability and to be ready when he is called upon. His main focus is to make sure the other team that he is playing against does not get good chances to score goals. He has been working not only on the ice but in his mind to get his focus on intercepting passes and creating turnovers. This is the best way he believes will help his team in the long run.

Edited May 4, 2019 by PenKnight