By Mitch Bach

Gary Haden’s secret to staying in shape

Sep 26, 2017 | 5:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Staying in shape during the off-season is critical for any junior hockey player.

In fact, many will say it’s even more important than sticking to a training regime during the winter.

The summer is also the ‘growth’ season when players pack on muscle, and trim down body fat to become a leaner, faster, stronger and a better overall player than the season before.

For most, it means putting in lengthy gym sessions lifting weights, mixed with a diligent cardio regime and on-ice training.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

Not for Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gary Haden.

“I kind of switched what I did this summer,” said the 18-year-old, who’s entering his second full season in the WHL. “I ended up going to a gym called White Collar Boxing in Airdrie.”

Haden says his first workout was absolutely exhausting — a telling sign it could really benefit his cardio.

“I’m in the best shape of my life,” he continued. “It was incredible. I lost a lot of body fat and put on a lot of lean muscle mass. A lot of long days there, a couple two-a-days and three-a-day work outs, but it was totally worth it.”

Coming off a season which saw the Airdrie-product score seven goals with one helper in 32 games, he says he’s setting his sights on playing every game in 2017/18.

“That was one thing that really motivated me this summer, was that I only played 32 games last year,” added Haden. “I had to put in a really good summer’s worth of work.”

The hard work appears to have paid off. The centreman notched his first goal of the year in the Tigers season opener on Friday. He’s also dialed in on the dot, winning nine of his 14 face-offs in the first two games.

It’s this type of contribution the Tigers need. Arguably their best player, Mason Shaw, may miss the entire regular season with a torn ACL.

“With Mason being gone, it really sucks, he’s a big part of our team,” said Haden. “But it just opens up more opportunity for guys like myself, and Chyz, Prez, and Jevs. We all just have to step up and chip in.”