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The trickle-down effect of injuries to wingers Anton Rodin, Jannik Hansen and Derek Dorsett — and Jake Virtanen’s minor-league assignment — has allowed Skille to play more than expected. However, he suffered an upper-body ailment last week and missed a game which, of course, only added to the pressure to perform because he has but one assist in 15 games this season.

There are always fourth-line recall options, so it’s not surprising that those who play on the edge are looking for more than just additional video sessions and training techniques.

Dr. David Cox is a clinical psychologist and an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University. He has worked with provincial and national sports organizations at the amateur and professional levels and has made a connection with Skille.

“He has been awesome,” said Skille. “He’s one of the few sports psychologists — and there have been a few along the way who I have got along with — but there is something about the way he talks, and the things he’s talking about that really resonate with me. I just kind of probed it and it has definitely helped.

Photo by Handout / SFU

“When you’re young and immature, you’re scared to ask for help. Asking is a good thing. Dr. Cox and the coaches want to help their players and it’s our responsibility to ask. It all ends up boiling down to the same thing. You have this mindset as a player: Are you helping or hurting? If you’re out of the lineup and complaining about it and moping around the room and showing everybody that you’re pissed off, you’re hurting the team and the room.”