Everett goaltender Carter Hart not only shares the same jersey number as Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals, but the same sports psychologist.
The weekly discussions have played a big part in helping Hart become well-rounded while playing a position that is physically tough and mentally challenging. Hart relies on the services of John Stevenson of Zone Performance Psychology in Edmonton.
Stevenson, a former goaltending coach for the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers, has practiced sports psychology the past 10 years. He has worked with Holtby the past 11 years and Hart the past eight.
"We talk about controlling what we can control," Stevenson told NHL.com. "Are you able to direct your focus back to things that are directly under your control? If not, then there's a chance you're going to get frustrated, angry, depressed. A lot of this is redirecting focus at things within their control that will enable them to do their job to the best of their ability."
Stevenson's program focuses on improving thought processes to overcome self-limiting emotional and physical barriers to allow athletes to reach peak performance.
