BY PRECIOUS AKANINYENE / STAFF WRITER

Jake Gudjonson is a third-year university student majoring in Psychology, and an avid hockey player from Golden, BC. From a young age, he was immersed in the sport due to family influence and has been playing ever since. In this interview, Gudjonson shares his experience as a hockey player, his preparation before games and his most memorable moments.

For Gudjonson, the mental aspect of the game is just as important as the physical one. He relaxes before games and narrows his focus on the upcoming challenge. He tries to keep his mind from wandering by controlling what he can control and not letting things out of his control disrupt his mental state. In terms of physical preparation, he has a casual approach consisting of some light jogging and stretching before playing ping pong and soccer to stay warm and loose.

When asked about his favorite part of playing hockey, Gudjonson emphasized the camaraderie with his teammates and the feeling of winning together. “Nothing better than winning on a Saturday night at the Encana,” he said.

Gujonson faced a significant challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting hockey. He struggled to stay focused on the sport, but he overcame it by continuing to work and prepare for upcoming seasons.

As for the team’s performance this season, Gudjonson described it as “unreal.” He praised his teammates for their dedication and effort every night. Their goal is to push for the ACAC championship for the rest of the season.

One of Gudjonson’s most memorable moments was winning his first playoff series with the Vikings. It was a long time coming after a junior career that did not see much playoff love. Gudjonson advises aspiring players to keep pushing forward, learn, and get better with each obstacle along the way. “It does not matter the route you take, or how many teams do not want you, all that matters is that you keep moving forward,” he said.

Jake Gudjonson’s experience as a hockey player emphasizes the importance of mental preparation and camaraderie with teammates. His journey demonstrates that with hard work and determination, one can overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Vikings player Jake Gudjonson. Photo submitted.

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