Eagles aging

[Greg_Di 1,028]

 

With a smile and a wave to the crowd during official off-season practice, Greg Eagles left the ice in Riga knowing that he is entering the twilight of his career. The cap to play in the VHL is 8 seasons and Eagles is quickly closing in on that number.

 

“The fans in Riga have been great to me so far,” Eagles said, acknowledging the cheers he heard at the airport when he was first traded to the team and the cheers when he played his first game and the more that followed when Riga was close to making it into the Cup finals.

 

The goalie who will be entering his 6^th season and first year of regression spent most of his career in Vancouver before being traded to Riga early this season.

 

“I’ve got a little FOMO,” he said, referring to the phrase of having a fear of missing out. “I want to win the cup and I know these last couple of seasons will be my final chance…I want to win…no I need to win the cup and prove to myself that I can help bring a team to the promised land”

 

Even though Eagles wants another cup, he knows it will be tougher next season and the next few seasons. With him getting older he is no longer as fast or agile as when he was when he first started.

 

“I guess when I look back, I never would’ve expected to still be playing this long as a starting goalie, so I try to appreciate the opportunities, and it’s been fun,” he said. “ Only the best survive in this league and I think I have proven that I have what it takes to be a great goalie heading into the twilight of my career”

 

As to how much longer he intends to keep playing, Eagles gave no hint. He is signed for next season and his 7^th season with Riga. He has no contract for his final 8^th season but he have no indication whether he will play a full 8 seasons or call it at 7.

 

“I am just not sure, it would be nice to play the final 8^th season but I guess it will come down to does Riga or any other team need an aging goalie at that time.” he said. “I still enjoy playing and want to continue but we have to see how the body wears down and how my play is leading up to that final season. I know I can play some more hockey. But I’m starting to evaluate more about how my body feels, and am I able to do it at a high level.”

 

 “Every opportunity he’s in net, we have a chance to win,” Riga coach said. “He brings his best game, and that’s a credit to his work ethic. Of course we would love to have him for as long as possible but the decision has to go both ways. He has to be comfortable coming back and we have to be comfortable in his ability at that time”

 

Eagles hasn’t lost his desire to play and has been constantly training to get better. That was evident when he was showing up to the Riga arena during the off-season to work on his game.

Time will tell what will happen in the future, but for now Eagles is just focusing on the upcoming season and helping Riga reach the finals.

[eaglesfan036 4,605]

I know my birthday is coming up soon but I'm not that old