Andy Chiodo, 24, plays for KARPAT, the defending Champions of the Finnish Pro League. He is in his second season in Finland after spending three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played 8 games in the NHL as a 20 year old. He also took Pittsburgh’s AHL team to the finals. Andy played three seasons in the OHL, two of them as Peter Budaj’s goalie partner. He is from Toronto.
Here is his entry:
The following are my habits, not my rituals - a very important distinction. For a 6:30 home game this is my routine:
Breakfast: Toast, eggs, fruit, juice, milk.
9:30am: Arrive at rink for morning skate.
45 minutes before skate: I bike 10-12 minutes, stretch 10-15 minutes and then hang-out and relax in room while getting dressed.
Andy Chiodo - Former Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie
10:30am: Ice
11:15am: Drink a shake then 7-10 minutes on the bike and quick stretch.
12pm: Lunch - Pasta, potatoes or rice, chicken or salmon, salad with veggies, couple slices of bread.
12:45pm: Hang-out and watch t.v. or a movie.
2:30pm: Nap (for however long I sleep), usually an hour.
3:30pm: Sit down & go over visiting team’s powerplay. Visualize rush plays, 5 on 5, tight plays, breakaways, make a few points about what I need to do for that night against that team.
Snack: Mixed fruit, apple, pear or cantaloupe & cold-cut sandwich in toast.
4pm: Take a walk outside for about 15 minutes.
4:30pm: Arrive at rink for game at 6:30.
4:30 -5:20: Tape sticks, spend 20 minutes on the bench or in the stands doing some visualization or just hang-out relaxing alone. 35 or 45 minutes before warm up - 10-12 minutes bike, 10-12 minutes stretch, hang out in stall & get dressed for warm-up.
Post Game....
Drink a shake
15 minutes bike
10 minute stretch
5 minute cold Tub
Shower
Win or lose I park the game (forget about it).
The most important part of game day for me is to relax and save my energy for the game. I fill myself with confidence and positive attitude throughout the day. All the routines mean nothing without a clear mind and good attitude.
My superstition is NOT to be superstitious. I feel different everytime I play, therefore, I don’t like to feel like I have to do something to play well. Even my game day routine is flexible: I may or may not nap, I may or may not go for a walk. It all depends how I feel that day. What I wrote above is just a general idea of my game day HABITS. The most important thing is my head when the puck drops.
Andy Chiodo
