Everything clicked last year for New Jersey Devils winger Taylor Hall: The former top overall draft pick set career highs in goals, assists, and points, and even embarked on a tidy 26-game point streak, just for fun. It paid off in the important ways, too, as the Devils returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in five years, and Hall finished the season by winning the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player every year.

Alas, as the NHL gets faster and more physical, playing in it has become a year-round grind, and so Hall had no time to get complacent during the offseason. We caught up with the 26-year-old Calgary native to learn more about the ways in which he's aiming to improve on a career year; how he learned to enjoy burgers and pizza more than ever before; and why you won't find him on game day without his trusty tennis ball in hand.

GQ: After an MVP season, there is always a microscope on you. Knowing that, what were your focuses for the offseason?

Taylor Hall: Last year was one where a lot of things went well. My focus is on maintaining that success, and making sure that I’m not a player that dips—it’s about consistency, year after year.

I’m always trying to get stronger, and healthier—that’s the biggest thing in today’s NHL. It’s all about speed, quickness, and power. Anytime you have a full summer to work on those things, that’s what you do. I’m still trying to develop my overall skill package and get better as a hockey player. I'm taking skating lessons. I don’t think there’s any age where you can stop doing that stuff.

How does your position affect your training?

For hockey players, it’s a lot of one-leg strengthening, because we spend so much of our time on one leg, whether we're striding out or battling in the corner. Core strength and trunk rotation are big parts of hockey, too. You need to be able to get around the ice really fast.

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You’re headed into your ninth year. Over the course of your career, have you altered your approach to dieting at all?

I’ve never really had to mess around with my diet—I never felt like any type of food really gave me a huge advantage. That said, my diet is heavy on carbs and protein, and I try and eat as many vegetables as possible. I stay away from fruit, and I’m not a big sweet-tooth guy. I don’t really like chocolate or ice cream. If I’m going to cheat, it’s going to be a cheeseburger or a slice of pizza.