Journey III marks the chapter where the level changed.

The game was no longer just about showing up and playing. New opportunities began to appear, and with them came bigger decisions.

This was a period of growth, but also sacrifice. As the level increased, so did the pressures that came with it. The game became more competitive, expectations became higher, and relationships grew more complicated.

It was also the first time adversity arrived in a different form.

Significant injuries and illness—including a fractured wrist, later an L3 fracture, and a battle with mono—forced time away from the game at critical moments. Opportunities were missed. Development slowed. A first time ever, pre-draft camp invite was suddenly out of reach, and doors that once seemed open began to close.

It was also the first time the business side of sport became visible. Decisions were not always based solely on effort or performance. Timing, circumstance, relationships, and factors outside of personal control often played a role.

For the first time, effort alone wasn't enough.

Health became part of the equation. Recovery became as important as preparation. The game that once felt like a passion was beginning to resemble a career path.

The lessons learned here extended far beyond the rink. Commitment meant choosing long-term goals over short-term comfort, trusting the process, and continuing forward when the timeline no longer matched the plan.

Looking back, this chapter marked the moment the stakes became real.

Not where the journey started.

Where the level changed.

Every location.
Every lesson.
Every chapter.

Every journey leaves a mark.