Senior Spotlight: Justin DaSilva – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 2, 2015
The Buckeyes will compete in their final home series of the 2015 season at 5 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday vs. No. 15 Minnesota. This will mark the final time the 2015 seniors will compete in Value City Arena.
Read on for a Q&A with senior defenseman Justin DaSilva
1.What did you learn from helping to build a hockey arena?
I learned a lot job wise, what it takes to build a rink, all the steps that go into it, and all the little things you don’t think about, especially being someone who has used a hockey rink to play on my whole life. It’s not easy work installing the cooling systems, boards, glass, bleachers, etc. It’s tedious work that is a long process, so I think I gained more respect from those in the construction business. I also gained more respect for hockey itself building the rink, just knowing that I was building something that has got me so far in life, and knowing that others would be using the rink gave me satisfaction.
2.What golf skills have benefitted your hockey career?
I think the biggest things golf taught me was competition and mental toughness. In golf you don’t have a team to rely on if you make a mistake;it’s an individual sport where you have to compete and play well every round, concentrating on every shot you make. Knowing that it is solely you against someone else brings out competition like no other sport, and brings out your individual mental toughness. Like any sport, you always want to be level minded, never getting too high, or too low emotionally, and because golf is so concentrated on “you”, sometimes it’s tough when you hit a bad shot, or have a bad round, to stay level and calm.
3.Why did you choose to pursue hockey over golf?
I chose hockey over golf when I was 16, but if you were to ask me before that, golf would have been number one. When I was 16, I went through a large growth spurt, growing upwards of 6 inches in a year, and it really did affect me physically. Because of the change, my golf swing struggled a little. I wasn’t always the biggest guy growing up, which is weird because I’m now 6’6?. I hit a late growth spurt and developed physically, and when I thought about what would take me further in life, hockey became the sport I wanted to pursue. I’ve loved hockey and golf since I was a toddler, and will always will. I still get out and play golf rounds with friends and family, trying to play at least once a week.
4.Why were you attracted to Ohio State?
The sheer opportunity the University presented me. When I flew down on my official visit while being recruited, I was blown away by everything; the academics available, the athletic facilities, the resources for student-athletes, the pride in being a Buckeye, the opportunity to play the best college hockey in the top league, being the in Big Ten. I remember calling my parents the night after I arrived saying this is was where I wanted to be, it was a done deal.
5.What are you most proud of from your years at Ohio State?
Everything. I’m proud that I was able to play hockey for four years, and get my degree as well. I am graduating this semester, so I think that will be the most proud moment, knowing that I was a student-athlete and received my degree from The Ohio State University.
6.What is your favorite moment from your senior year so far?
I don’t know if I have a specific moment. Being in my last year I have just tried to embrace everything and live everyday to the fullest knowing that my time is coming to an end here.
7.What sets the Buckeyes apart from the competition?
I think our togetherness and competitive level sets us apart from competition. I think we have a special group of guys that can make something special happen, and when we are rolling, we are a tight-knit group that is a force. The way we compete is like no other team in the league, and I see it first-hand every single day. I think when we put those two things together we will have success.
8.Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I think I may have too many to list to be honest. I am very particular when it comes to pre-game rituals, and if I listed them all, some may think I’m crazy haha. I believe that preparation is key, and when you are prepared, you perform at your best, so I take that as doing everything in routine. I will list a few things just to answer the question. I always tape my stick on the bench, in the same spot, for the same amount of time, with my headphones in and designated music playlist playing. I always get dressed right side to left side, right side equipment going on first, taped first, tied up first, etc. I always play sewer ball (keep up with a soccer ball) before games with teammates to loosen and warm up. Those are just a few, there are probably 20 others I do before a game to be honest.
9.What are your plans for after graduation?
I hope to be playing hockey professionally. Wherever that may be, I do not know and do not mind. I have always wanted to play professional hockey, so as long as it makes sense financially, I want to play as long as I can. As for right after graduation, I will return home with family and friends for summer, which is something I always look forward to.
10.What is the hardest thing about being a student athlete?
thiThe biggest thing I noticed over my four years that was tough was time management. Playing hockey at this level is time consuming, not to mention with school on top of it. Being at the rink from 8am-1pm on a normal day, then heading to class for a few hours a day in the late afternoon, and doing homework usually at night is consuming, and when the time of the season comes when you travel for games, it becomes even tougher.
