After a tough year for Aaron Ekblad, the star-studded defenseman believes that he can regain his all-star form for next season.
There is no need to remind Aaron on this season that just finished. He knows what went wrong and what he could have done better. From here on there, it’s time for Ekblad to continue moving forward. No need for Aaron to dwell on this past year. What’s done is done as they like to say!
Mentally, Aaron Ekblad was not stable and was constantly doubting himself when on the ice. As Aaron stated to the Sun Sentinel:
"“The first part of the season I wasn’t skating back quickly to get the puck, [I was] worried about getting hit, making too quick of a play, not holding onto the puck and analyzing my outs and making the good, right option, the simple pass,”"
Continuing on the topic of Aaron’s mental condition during the year, he continued by stating:
"“That’s what I mean by not being 100 percent mentally [ready] and that’s what ultimately led to me not playing great halfway through.”"
Aaron also reached out to the team’s psychologist (Derek Anderson), to receive some help mentally. Ekblad found Derek to be helpful and notice that Derek’s help paid off as he was feeling like his old self again. Aaron started to get more shots to the net and was also starting to accumulate more assists as well. His overall play was starting to look like the old Aaron we all knew.
Ekblad was able to “break through the barriers” that were holding him back earlier in the year both mentally and physically. As Aaron stated:
"“It was amazing to feel like you can just do things again, break through those barriers of the mental state that hockey is; it’s a mental sport,”"
The game of hockey definitely includes a strong mental aspect towards the game. When you receive “four blows” to the head like Aaron received in the last couple of years, it’s hard mentally. Knowing that those past experiences stay in your head and prevent you from playing your game 150% is tough.
This is where the “teams psychologists” come in handy. This is their job, to help players overcome obstacles that they face mentally. I was very happy to hear that Aaron received the help he needed and for it to also help as well. Going into next season, Aaron will have the opportunity to start off fresh and to just play the game he loves. It will be critical for Aaron to regain his all-star form next year, as he’s an important piece for the Panthers both in the presence and for the future.