[Mony]

I took not being included on those teams pretty hard. I’d looked up to smaller guys when I was younger. I’d watch players like Danny Briere and Martin St. Louis, and quietly think to myself, “Why not me?”

The first thing is that you have to get a thick skin. I’ve heard my fair share of chirps throughout the years. Different things about my size, said in so many ways … including plenty of stuff I’m not so comfortable repeating here. Get used to it, because it’ll come. Everyone handles it differently, but I’ve never been a big chirper myself because the sound of the goal horn is loud enough.

Finally, and most importantly, my advice to the little kids out there who quietly have that dream inside of them to play in the NHL: have fun right now. If you do pursue this career, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take hockey very, very seriously. But right now, just appreciate and build on whatever you love about the game. Enjoy hanging out with your buddies on the ice. No matter how big you make it, you’ll miss that time when it’s gone. Try that move out, look silly, and get better. As long as you’re smaller, your best skill needs to be your effort. It doesn’t matter where you’re playing or if you’re getting cut from teams. If you have the talent, the right person will find you.

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/joh...algary-flames/

I love these articles so much.