Jordan Eberle: Goal Oriented
12 August 2009
It’s January 3, 2009 and Canada trails Russia 5-4 in the under-20 World Junior Hockey Championship semi-finals. The Russians are just 30 seconds away from the Gold medal game. Canada is scrambling to gain control in the offensive end when a Russian player finds the puck and immediately goes for the icing. With less than 18 seconds left, if the puck gets out, it will all but seal a Russian victory.
But the attempt is stopped at the blue line and a fierce battle ensues along the boards. Suddenly the puck pops out and lands on Jordan Eberle’s stick. Less than 7 seconds remain. He sidesteps the Russian defense, pulls the puck to his backhand, stretches out the goaltender and ties the game.
If you remember that epic play, you’ll know Canada was 5.4 seconds away from playing for bronze. Thanks to Eberle’s heroic goal, Canada went on to win in the shootout and beat Sweden for the gold medal.
That moment showcased Eberle’s composure under pressure and it’s a big reason why the 19-year-old was invited back to try out for the World Junior team. It’s also why he was drafted 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers. If talent opened the door for Eberle, then it’s his training and hard work that walked him through the NHL’s front door.
“Work beats talent if talent doesn’t work,” he said. “I definitely believe what’s taken me so far is my hard work ethic in the gym.”
Even though the contract is signed, Eberle knows nothing is guaranteed and making the team is now the focus of his off-season training. “Signing the contract is just a step towards playing in the NHL,” Eberle said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done to get to that level.”
To prepare for the Oilers training camp, Eberle has identified his quickness and speed for improvement. For the past few months he’s worked extensively with the Oilers skating coach, while off the ice he uses jumping drills and hurdles to find gains.
Eberle also recently completed his try-out at the World Junior orientation camp in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Making either team is going to be a huge challenge, but performing under pressure is what Eberle is all about. Just ask the Russians.
But the attempt is stopped at the blue line and a fierce battle ensues along the boards. Suddenly the puck pops out and lands on Jordan Eberle’s stick. Less than 7 seconds remain. He sidesteps the Russian defense, pulls the puck to his backhand, stretches out the goaltender and ties the game.
If you remember that epic play, you’ll know Canada was 5.4 seconds away from playing for bronze. Thanks to Eberle’s heroic goal, Canada went on to win in the shootout and beat Sweden for the gold medal.
That moment showcased Eberle’s composure under pressure and it’s a big reason why the 19-year-old was invited back to try out for the World Junior team. It’s also why he was drafted 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers. If talent opened the door for Eberle, then it’s his training and hard work that walked him through the NHL’s front door.
“Work beats talent if talent doesn’t work,” he said. “I definitely believe what’s taken me so far is my hard work ethic in the gym.”
Even though the contract is signed, Eberle knows nothing is guaranteed and making the team is now the focus of his off-season training. “Signing the contract is just a step towards playing in the NHL,” Eberle said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done to get to that level.”
To prepare for the Oilers training camp, Eberle has identified his quickness and speed for improvement. For the past few months he’s worked extensively with the Oilers skating coach, while off the ice he uses jumping drills and hurdles to find gains.
Eberle also recently completed his try-out at the World Junior orientation camp in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Making either team is going to be a huge challenge, but performing under pressure is what Eberle is all about. Just ask the Russians.
