MONDAY MAILBAG: Commissioner Burish

Each and every week throughout the 2018-19 season, chicagoblackhawks.com will have answers to some fan-submitted questions. This week, former Blackhawks forward, 2010 Stanley Cup champion and Blackhawks TV contributor Adam Burish discusses what changes he'd make if he were commissioner and more.
1. Adam, if you were the NHL Commissioner, what would you change to the game or the NHL? - Kevin from Clarksville, IN
Wouldn't that be nice!? Tough question... I probably wouldn't change anything major, but the three things that come to mind quickly are:
1. Make the goalies stay in the net, can't go behind the net and stop pucks that get rimmed in.
2. Sell one advertisement on jerseys for greater league revenue.

3. No more suit-and-tie dress code to games. I'd like to see more personality in hockey, let guys express themselves and show some style. Most guys wear terrible wrinkled and ugly suits on the road anyway because you are on and off buses and planes, and in and out of hotels and locker rooms. One guy I played with would always wear one "road suit" the whole year... wasn't a good look!
   I think it would be cool if guys would custom paint their skates like goalies do with helmets also!
   2. What does a typical game day look like [for players]? What do you eat prior to a game and when? Do you practice in the morning? Do you take a nap? What time do you go back to the rink for the game? Enquiring minds would love to know!!! Thanks, Blackhawk fan for life - Shari from Chesterton, IN
   All game days are pretty much the same.
   You wake up and get to the rink for a morning skate (I never really cared for these). After the skate, you have lunch as a team. They have a big buffet at the rink if we are at home and on the road you get on the bus and they have a massive spread at the hotel. Pregame meals are one of the coolest things when you make it to the NHL. Anything and everything you can think of to eat, even an ice cream sundae bar, is set up.
   Then most guys nap from 2-4. Then wake up, put your suit on, go down to the meal room have a snack around 4:15, get on the bus at 4:30, go to rink, take your suit off, and start your meetings and off-ice warm-up.
   After the game, they have food again at the rink, or right away when you get on the plane to fly home.
   3. My 6-year-old son Roenick plays hockey. His stick-handling is pretty amazing. What practice/skills would you recommend for him to practice his shot? Thanks, - Tracy from Plainfield, IL
   Hey Tracy,
   As Sharp would say, "why the heck would you ask Burish about shooting!?"
   Unfortunately, he's probably right... Although, I think I had a better shot than I showed... just my opinion. I would say one thing guys have in common that have awesome shots is that they shoot a lot of pucks in the offseason. If you want to get a harder shot, shoot more!
   But just start by making sure he's having fun. He's 6!
   4. Does the team have a special holiday tradition? - Debby from Kokomo, IN
   No tradition, to be honest. When the schedule comes out every year you always hope you don't have to travel on the holidays so you can be at home with your families.
   5. On a scale of 1-10 how tempted are you to shave your beard during playoffs - Sam from Lisle, IL
   ZERO. I loved it!!! I wish I could do it again!