April 20 - SB ⭐️ Nation Blog LaunchA journalist and friend of mine Kate Cimini referred me to SB Nation to get more involved in journalism. This connection resulted in the idea if getting me to do a weekly Wednesday blood for the website stanleycupofchowder.com
This week I released my first blog of the NWHL off-season series. For this blog I focused on the process and my experience leading up to the inaugural NWHL season where I played with the Buffalo Beauts! 🐂🐂🐂🐂
Find the beginning of 'How I Became a Pro Hockey Player' and a link too the article in its entirety! 🏒 |
From the Rafter: How I Became a Pro Hockey Player
OK, where do I even start?
Let's backtrack to April 2015. I was finishing up some exams at the University of British Columbia and my university hockey career with the UBC Thunderbirds had just come to an end. I was coming off a successful season with the T-Birds and upon graduating the program I left as UBC's most decorated female hockey player as well as attaining league honors along the way. I was starting to think about what I would be doing come September in terms of my hockey and my life in general. This was tough because I knew my options were pretty limited as far as hockey went. I was set on playing a high level and wasn't quite ready to play overseas or hang up my skates. I remember it being very strange that my eligibility was done and I no longer was able to fall back on the idea that I still had another year left. I began to explore the options of how I would continue my career and if so, what did I need to do to make that happen? What happens to my hockey career now that I have hit the end of my CIS eligibility?
Find the entire article at: http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2016/4/20/11464930/nwhl-tatiana-rafter-how-i-became-a-pro-hockey-player?utm_campaign=stanleycupofchowder&utm_content=article%3Atop&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Let's backtrack to April 2015. I was finishing up some exams at the University of British Columbia and my university hockey career with the UBC Thunderbirds had just come to an end. I was coming off a successful season with the T-Birds and upon graduating the program I left as UBC's most decorated female hockey player as well as attaining league honors along the way. I was starting to think about what I would be doing come September in terms of my hockey and my life in general. This was tough because I knew my options were pretty limited as far as hockey went. I was set on playing a high level and wasn't quite ready to play overseas or hang up my skates. I remember it being very strange that my eligibility was done and I no longer was able to fall back on the idea that I still had another year left. I began to explore the options of how I would continue my career and if so, what did I need to do to make that happen? What happens to my hockey career now that I have hit the end of my CIS eligibility?
Find the entire article at: http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2016/4/20/11464930/nwhl-tatiana-rafter-how-i-became-a-pro-hockey-player?utm_campaign=stanleycupofchowder&utm_content=article%3Atop&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
April 19 - Grouse Grind... is closed!
Today I drove out to do the grouse grind with two of my best friends. Unfortunately when we got to Grouse Mountain we found out that the Grind was closed!! 🙀 After getting some advice from a couple of the construction workers and other people that came to find the grind closed, we decided to try out the BCMC trail that runs alongside the grouse grind stairs. |
What we didn't know what that the grind goes more straight up and the BCMC winds upward so the hike took us about an hour to get to the top. I haven't hiked very many times and this trail was all rocks, roots and branches haha. So it was challenging but my girlfriends had some experience under their belts which helped.
Once we got near the top there was a tunnel of trees we had to crawl through so I ended up muddy due to having such long limbs haha. It felt super accomplishing overall to do something out of my comfort zone and get in a good cardio workout!
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The grind usually takes you around 45-50 minutes so that's what we expected out of the BCMC. We were wrong!!
In case you were wondering this was our view after off roading and hiking Grouse Mountain 🙌🏻💪🏻
April 18 - Back to the Gym!
This summer I have a really neat opportunity. I have been welcomed back to the UBC women's hockey locker room this summer with open arms! I am also going to be working out and training at UBC with Strength and Conditioning coaches, Lisa Bonang and Joe Mccullum!
Today is the first day I am heading into the weight room since season and I am excited to get back into the swing of things. As of right now I haven't resigned with a team in the NWHL but I want to set myself up in a good position if it is the case that I sign later into the free agency period! |
April 15 - Joining authors at @SBNation on Stanley @cupofchowdah!This year I have started to write with online hockey magazines. The first opportunity Ihad was with THW - The Hockey Writers. I did three blogs for them towards the end of the year and one video blog after the Isobel cup finals.
I am excited to say that I have branched out and will be writing for the hockey news outlet Stanley Cup of Chowdah. These will be insider blogs about my experience in the NWHL, my off season and topics that readers find of interest! Looking forward to my first article, which will be published next Wednesday 👻 |
April 13 - Job Hunting
I work a couple of times a week at the Richmond Oval, but I will need a full time job. Now that I am settled I am ready to get out there and start looking. How I decided to do this is I got ready at home and left the house with ten resumes. I told myself I wasn't coming home until I found a job! ( I found one on Granville Island.. Thank goodness)
April 10 - Signed with OBE+MG Sports Agency
This was a really exciting day! I can now say that I have a. Sports agent.. Very cool, but more importantly very helpful going into NWHL Free Agency.
April Runs - Whiterock, BC
April 4 - Moved into my apartment in Van!
My best friend lives out in Whiterock, BC and more than likely I will be down there a couple times a month from Vancouver. When I go I plan to do some drop in sessions at Semiahmoo Athletic Club, which is a Crossfit gym. It is definitely a good workout.. I recommend it if you are in the area. |
March 29 - Joined the Leslie Global Sports team at the Richmond Olympic Oval
Today I had my first shift at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
This summer I will be doing some skill development sessions with Nate Leslie as a sub contractor, doing some on ice skill development sessions!
This summer I will be doing some skill development sessions with Nate Leslie as a sub contractor, doing some on ice skill development sessions!
MARCH 25 - Flying Buffalo to British Columbia!
Today I flew from Buffalo to Vancouver! My best friends family picked me up from the airport and I headed out to Whiterock, BC to stay with them.
While staying in white rock I got my life organized.
I found an apartment, I found a couple jobs, furniture, got a cell phone... All those little things you need to do when you move!
While staying in white rock I got my life organized.
I found an apartment, I found a couple jobs, furniture, got a cell phone... All those little things you need to do when you move!
THE ISOBEL CUP FINALS - PLAYOFFS
TATIANA RAFTER: MY LIFE AS A PRO, BEHIND THE SCENES - PART I
Tatiana Rafter is a pioneer — a professional hockey player for the Buffalo Beauts in the NWHL. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has uprooted her life to follow her dream of playing professional hockey on the other side of the continent. The 23-year-old has surely been through some ups and downs as well as highs and lows since the inaugural NWHL season started in October. Now, with the playoffs quickly approaching, Rafter has agreed to give The Hockey Writers a small glimpse into her daily world, and will be penning a diary/blog for us.
In fact, she was so enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity (we are too) that she decided to give us all a little introduction into who she is, how she prepares for a game, as well as how grateful and humbled she is to be in a position to really make a difference in young girls (and kids) lives.
For me, this season has been so many things. It has been both challenging and rewarding. Ultimately, it was a year of transitions and a season filled with adversity. I moved from the west coast to the east coast. I am a role model. I am a coach. I am a teammate. I am one of just 72 other women that make up the first wave of women’s professional hockey players. I am part of a story that is still being written. I remember the first interview I had after signing with the Buffalo Beauts. It was in August, the sun was shining and I sat outside in the back yard as planes flew over my childhood home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I was asked about how I felt personally — to be a part of the inaugural season of women’s pro hockey. My answer was that, ‘I’m excited to play for the Beauts because every time I lace up my skates I will be a part of history.’ Since that conversation I have realized how much of an impact you can have even when your skates aren’t laced up. Full article at: http://thehockeywriters.com/tatiana-rafter-my-life-as-a-pro-behind-the-scenes/ |
TATIANA RAFTER: MY LIFE AS A PRO, BEHIND THE SCENES Part II
Tatiana Rafter is a pioneer — a professional hockey player for the Buffalo Beauts in the NWHL. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has uprooted her life to follow her dream of playing professional hockey on the other side of the continent. Surely the 24-year-old has been through ups and downs, highs and lows since the inaugural NWHL season started in October. Now, with the playoffs rapidly approaching, Rafter has agreed to give The Hockey Writers a small glimpse into her daily world, and will be penning a diary/blog for us.
It was hard to pick out some highlights to write about because believe it or not… things got busy in Buffalo this week! Mr. Rafter flew in for a visit, Linda Mroz hosted ‘The Last Supper’, I turned 24-years-old and we battled against Boston to finish off the regular season. I’m excited to take you through my week and also fill you in on what’s next for the Beauts! Let’s go! THURSDAY – 3 SLEEPS ‘TIL BOSTON! This week was so special to me because I was able to share it with my Dad. He flew all day from my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Let’s just say I am in tune with my emotions because of my dad. He’s always been my number one supporter and it means a lot to me that I was able to share a game with him. He stayed at an Air B&B in Buffalo and I picked him up to grab a bite at Pearl Street Bar & Grill after he was settled in. It was one of those nights I really got to cherish, simply because playing all the way in Buffalo means I’m not as close to my main support systems as I’m used to. It was such a good night and, I’m not going to lie to you, I definitely shed some tears (of happiness) on the drive home after dropping him off. Sometimes you just need a dose of your dad around. FRIDAY – 2 SLEEPS!! Playing at home adds an extra element of comfort and a big part of that stems from having support from my GMLinda Mroz. I think she does a great job of making sure her players are comfortable, by ensuring they have what they need. A perfect example of this is nights like tonight. Linda hosted ‘The Last Supper’ because this is our last home weekend of the season. I headed over to her place around 4pm with Devon Skeats and we picked my dad up on our way! We also picked up a bottle of vino to show some appreciation to Linda for opening up her home to us. Little did I know that in addition to cooking dinner, Linda had baked and decorated an Elsa themed birthday cake, which she surprised me with after everyone had eaten. There has been so much going on this week I think I almost forgot that it is my birthday tomorrow! Haha. After team dinner we headed to the Harbor Center for 8:00pm workout and 10:00pm practice. The late practices usually finish around midnight so I was head to pillow around 1:30am! Thank god we are at home this weekend because it would be a quick turn around if we had to bus to Boston tomorrow. Playing at home really does create a greater sense of comfort since you have the ability to personalize your preparation leading up to game day. There are a few specific aspects that stick out to me as advantages to playing at home. It is a huge plus to be able to get treatments or an ice bath at the HC the day before a game. We really are blessed to have such a fantastic trainers and physical therapists at Impact gym and it can make a difference to have that extra treatment for fine-tuning the day before a game. I also find that sleeping in my own bed, and making pre-game breakfast at home before heading to the rink are really important aspects of game day preparation. Breakfast may seem like a minor detail but I am very routine about when and what I eat so it’s so beneficial to be able to control that part of my prep. SATURDAY – 1 SLEEP TO GO! I turned 24 today, which feels impossible, but here I am! I have been joking about the fact that my birthday was a well ‘documented’ affair because I was working with the 540 Films crew all day today! The film crew is compiling footage from the inaugural NWHL season to create a documentary showcasing what professional female hockey players... Full article at: http://thehockeywriters.com/tatiana-rafter-my-life-as-a-pro-behind-the-scenes-part-ii/ |
TATIANA RAFTER: MY LIFE AS A PRO, BEHIND THE SCENES - PLAYOFFS
Tatiana Rafter is a pioneer — a professional hockey player for the Buffalo Beauts in the NWHL. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has uprooted her life to follow her dream of playing professional hockey on the other side of the continent. Surely the 24-year-old has been through ups and downs, highs and lows since the inaugural NWHL season started in October. Now, with the playoffs rapidly approaching, Rafter has agreed to give The Hockey Writers a small glimpse into her daily world, and will be penning a diary/blog for us.
With the Isobel Cup playoffs now underway, she takes us behind the scenes during Buffalo’s recently completed series against the Connecticut Whale in which the two teams played three games in three nights — from March 4-6. Recap on the Weekend – Beauts and Whale Fight to Advance to the Isobel Cup Final This past weekend we faced off against the CT Whale in a best-of-3 series. 🐳 This served as the semi-final, with the winner to advance to the first-ever Isobel Cup Final. A very historic weekend for women’s hockey and a very emotional weekend for all the players. We were fighting for a chance to play for the Cup, but also to spend another week with our hockey families. 💞 So let’s recap the series! Friday - Game One The Whale took this game, winning 3-0 with the third goal being an empty netter at the end. Going into this game we all knew it would be an advantage to leave the rink with a ‘W’ under our belts. Taking the first game of the series alleviates some of the playoff pressure because you’ve created some cushion if something goes wrong the next night. That is why this loss stung quite a bit, but I think that it helped awaken the realization that if we don’t win tomorrow our season is over. Saturday - Game Two Tonight, each of the Beauts played with a bit more fire because of the do-or-die aspect of the game. A large tweak to the game plan was having everyone commit to playing our style of hockey. ‘Beauts hockey’ means playing with grit, teamwork and never taking our foot on the gas pedal. I heard that an announcer during the game actually said, “Teamwork makes the dream work”. Love it! So what was the outcome?! We came away with the W ( winning 4-1) for the first time all season (seven games total) against the Whale! Yeah baby! After Christmas the Beauts have returned as a new squad. We’ve been working hard in the second half to put some demons to rest. Among the adversity the Beauts have faced this... Full article at: http://thehockeywriters.com/tatiana-rafter-my-life-as-a-pro-behind-the-scenes-playoff-edition/ |