Blog: Sean Duddy Checks In from Preseason Camp – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Sept. 29, 2011
As the Ohio State men’s hockey team prepares for the 2011-12 season, senior defenseman Sean Duddy checks in for an update on what the team has been up to so far. The squad had their first team meeting with the coaches Sept. 15 and has been limited to two hours a week with the coaches on the ice until Saturday, when official practices begin around the country. Much of the squad’s time has been spent conditioning and holding captains’ practices.
Saturday, the Buckeyes will play an exhibition game against Windsor at Chiller North (8144 Highfield Drive, Lewis Center). The game starts at 7:30 p.m. and admission is FREE for all. Postgame, there will be a ‘Skate with the Buckeyes.’ Fans can bring their own skates, or rent them at the rink.
Sean Duddy’s Preseason Blog
Hi everyone,
Preseason has been pretty tough so far, but it’s shown us what we’re made of as a team. We’ve all been on campus since the beginning of the summer, working out daily in the mornings with (strength and conditioning coach) Brian Unverferth and skating in the afternoons. We dreaded our Thursday morning stair runs, but they definitely got us in shape.
After our break at the end of summer quarter, we came back and jumped right into “Hell Week.” The week started off with a conditioning session in the sand, and then we followed that up with a 10-10 test on the treadmill. We set a treadmill at a 10 incline and 10 speed, and ran for as long as we could before falling off. It’s completely exhausting but it’s a great test of character. After the 10-10, we had a really tough workout circuit, and then the next day we had one of our infamous stair runs wearing weight vests. Finally we ended the week with a 1,000-yard sled push, with seven guys on a team. My team finished in second place, but the team that won went after us so they had an unfair advantage.
After Hell Week we were finally able to settle into our normal practice routine. We practice in the mornings from 8 to 11, and then we have class in the afternoons. It’s been a bit of an adjustment from our afternoon practices last season, but I like it much better because I feel fresher in the morning. Now that we’re so close to starting the season, the guys are getting excited. It feels like forever since the last time I stepped on the ice for a game, so I can’t wait to get started.
