It's a little frustrating, but it's hockey -- you go through skids and this happens to be a long one, but you have to look at it and see it's a long season, ... Once we get over this hump we'll be fine.

It's going to be nice just to talk to him and talk about some hockey things. It's been busy, with the lottery and the draft, and I just want to get started and see what the level of play is like and get out there and push myself and get ready for the season.

Whether you're trying to learn in hockey or trying to learn in life, I've always tried to be observant and tried to learn more, tried to evolve, whether it's as a hockey player or as a person. With each year, I try to do that.

It was nice to get the first one out of the way.

It is so important to me to have my time away from hockey. Obviously, hockey is my passion; I love it. But definitely for me, time away from the rink and time when my mind isn't thinking about hockey is important.

I think as a Canadian hockey player, you go through it in your mind so many times, being able to stand on that blue line and hear your national anthem play and being a gold medal champion, you dream of that. And then to be able to accomplish that and actually win a gold medal and represent your country its an amazing feeling.