Until last week, Jason Day had never slapped on a pair of ice skates.
So, it might have seemed a little daunting, then, when the Aussie rolled into practice for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets after being the co-MVP of the International Presidents Cup team in his adopted Ohio home.
Nope.
Day looked like somewhat of a natural on the ice with the Blue Jackets, who had the day off on Tuesday. Day's friend and Blue Jacket, James Wisniewski, hatched the idea of having Day at practice while watching him compete in the Presidents Cup. Team president of hockey operations John Davidson agreed with Wisniewski.
“I thought I was going to be one of those people that just holds on to the glass the whole time. I think I did alright for being out on the ice for the first time ever, but I had these boys helping me," Day told the Blue Jackets' website. “It’s kind of a new appreciation for how skilled these guys are; they obviously work hard, but to do what they’re doing on thin blades and make it look like they’re running around and the puck control is amazing.”
Blue Jacket coach Todd Richards was impressed with Day, but got a kick out of his ignorance of simple ice skating skills.
"It wasn't that he didn't have an idea, but you could see (Day) was trying to figure it out," Richards said. "I heard him ask one question, and that was 'how do I stop?' You just run into the boards - that's what you teach young kids."
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