|
Holland is living the life |
|
|
|
Written by Dale Woodard
|
|
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 |
It’s a lifestyle change, but one that Patrick Holland isn’t going to complain about.
And if the Lethbridge resident and former member of the Y’s Men Midget AAA Titans has to take his game south of the border, so be it.
Now, a third of the way into the 2009-2010 Western Hockey League season, that’s exactly what Holland is doing, plying his hockey trade as a rookie with the Tri-City Americans.
Last week, Holland — along with teammate and fellow Lethbridge product Drew Owsley — got to revisit some familiar territory as the Americans paid a visit to the Enmax Centre for a showdown with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
While the six-foot, 167-pound right winger didn’t figure in on the scoring as the Americans notched a 4-2 win, life in the WHL is agreeing with Holland.
“You’re playing with a lot better players and you’re playing against a lot better players,” said Holland. “The lifestyle is probably the biggest change. It’s a lot more hockey-based lifestyle. I really enjoy hanging out with the other 20 guys on my team every day. I really like that aspect.
“The hockey has been a lot harder, I just have to work harder. There are a lot more expectations, you just have to meet those expectations.”
Thirteen games into his rookie campaign with the 16-5-0-0 Americans, Holland is taking baby steps towards meeting those expectations with a goal and four points, going an even zero in the plus/minus department.
“So far it’s going really well,” said Holland, who tallied 17 goals and 45 points in 34 games with the Titans last season. “I’ve started off a bit slow, (but) it’s been picking up. It’s kind of snowballing and getting better and better. My coach has been giving me a lot more opportunity. It’s been good.”
Holland posted his first career WHL goal Oct. 30 in Prince George against the Cougars.
The numbers have meant more responsibility.
“It’s just more ice time,” said Holland. “There was one game where I was on the ice when we pulled our goalie with a minute left. I’ve been on the power play a couple of times. Basically it’s been more and more ice time in key situations.”
|
