Coming to the rink with more confidence was a big factor for me today for our second on-ice session. When we arrived at Johnny's my group started with the off-ice workout instead of skating first. We did station work with everything from kettlebell swings to push-ups to medicine ball throws. Having the workout first loosens you up and allows you to be ready for the ice, but it doesn't matter to me which part comes first.

Overall yesterday was a warmup for me and was important in getting my feet under me. You could tell the coaching staff was trying to get all of the guys started yesterday with passing and shooting, and today was more skill work with rushes. We'll keep progressing with more skill drills as we lead up to Friday's scrimmage. Knowing I had one on-ice session under my belt, I was more confident with the puck and made more plays in today's practice.

The way I'm approaching things is, when I'm out there I skate like I do every day and play like I do every day. I never give up on plays and puck battles and always compete as hard as I can, all of the time. When you watch me in practice you know what you are going to get in games.

Growing up I watched a lot of Pittsburgh Penguins games since my favorite player was Sidney Crosby. Living so close to Philadelphia, I got a lot of grief from my friends, but I've always been a Crosby fan. It's been fun watching him and trying to pick up some of his tendencies as I'm beginning my own career.

Tonight my roommate, Chad Krys, and I will get dinner, watch Netflix, get some sleep and be ready for tomorrow. We have watched so many episodes of "90210," we've got to be close to the second season!