BLOG: DEREK PALLARDY'S SUMMER

August 3, 2010

DEREK PALLARDY BLOG

I'm sorry in advance, and as you read this, you'll understand why I have to apologize. I have been enjoying an amazing off-season here in Independence. First of all, it's great to play a sport that has a summer off-season. I'm pretty sure that my off-season lifestlye inspires a great deal of jealousy from most of my friends. My typical day is spent working out in the morning, hanging out at the pool during the day, and teaching hockey lessons at the IEC in the evening...again, I'm sorry!

The only events that break this wonderful routine are just as enjoyable and worthwhile in their own right. First of all, I was so thrilled to be a part of the press conference that announced 5 new signings for next year including myself. This was the highlight of my summer so far, and I'm incredibly excited to remain a Maverick! I've also been entertained by other great off-season happenings: I was able to help promote the Grand Opening of Hockey Republic, the hockey equipment store inside of Shocking Prices. I've gotten to attend seven Royals games so far this year, and I enjoyed those games in some great seats thanks to new friends I've made in the Kansas City area. I had friends from Knoxville come in town to visit, and I was able to tour the Harry Truman sights and the zoo with them. My time spent with my family and friends either at home or at the Lake of the Ozarks has been great. I have also been helping coach at the Hockey in Focus class on Sundays at the Centerpoint Community Ice Rink in the IEC; and lastly, I helped instruct over 60 enthusiastic young hockey players at the Mavericks Summer Hockey Camp a couple of weeks ago as well as those that enjoyed the Mavericks Fantasy Camp. Helping young hockey players improve their skills has been a great experience so far this summer. I have a number of young players that I work with individually on a regular basis, and I love watching them get better from week to week. Yesterday I received two text messages from the parents of two of my "students," each to tell me how much they appreciate the work that I do with their children and tell me how much improvement they've seen. It means a lot to me to hear that the instruction that I give these players is really helping them and making them enjoy hockey that much more.

There really is only one thing missing from this off-season so far, and it's the most obvious...playing hockey! In St. Louis it was always pretty easy to find a good scrimmage with talented players in the area. Unfortunately, during this off-season, I've only skated in full equipment a handfull of times...which is still a handfull more than some of the returning players. We are all eager to get back on the ice and prepare ourselves for a championship season, but it is difficult to find enough players in the area to participate in a high-level pick-up game. Starting in August, I think we'll see more Mavericks players returning to Missouri, and we will be able to seek out other skilled hockey players in the area to help get us ready for October 15.

Thank you all for being such great hockey fans even in July. I know you miss Mavericks hockey, as do I, but I hope all of you are enjoying the summer and off-season as much as I am...if not, "I'm sorry."

-Derek Pallardy