Podkolzin's 'Be Better Now' Mindset For Summer Workouts, Fatherhood

Vasily Podkolzin has had his nose to the grindstone over the summer, rigorously getting ready for next season. More recently, he's become a dad which has forced a redesign of his schedule but is something that he wants to excel at and has given him a greater purpose.

"I can't sleep anymore, but that's ok. My wife and I are so happy, we're learning something new and trying to be good parents," Podkolzin said.

He and his wife, Sasha, welcomed their daughter Alisa in early July.

He's been toiling in the gym and on the ice, sticking to the Canucks training program with such intensity that Head Coach Rick Tocchet offered him fatherly advice to take a break when Alisa was born.

"Tocchet talked to me about it, and he said 'When your daughter is coming, just take a week off. It's good for you, good for your family,'" he recounted. "When Alisa was born, I just took seven days, maybe eight, to be with my family. My parents and my wife's parents are here too, it's a big thing and there's a lot of help," he said.

He admits last season was tough, playing 39 games for the NHL club and 28 with Abbotsford, compared to his first season playing 79 games with Vancouver. He's finding that next gear for his third season and he wants to help the team win.

"A big season is coming. It's been hard work in the gym and the practices aren't easy sometimes, but it's time to be better right now," Podkolzin said, adding, "I'm a dad, I have a family, and I just want to play hockey and do my job well for me, for my family. For my daughter as well, it's more motivation for me."

In addition to his on-ice work he's also being mindful to not be so hard on himself and overthink, play a little more relaxed, and let the game come to him.

"Be a little bit easier on myself, and just do my job - score goals, make good plays on offence, and play hard on defense - and I think everything will be ok," he said.

His offseason workout intensity has earned him the new new dad bod, but he's got the old dad jokes down already. When asked what his favourite part about being a dad is he answered, in a nonchalant tone "working when she's sleeping," with the quintessential playful laugh one beat after he finishes the sentence. In all seriousness, he says the timing has been great because he's able to enjoy quieter moments with Alisa before things get busy during the season.

"Kids grow up so fast, so I'm just trying to spend time with her, and my wife as well." he said.

Sasha's been doing most of the work over the last few weeks, and he fills in whenever he can. He got some quick lessons on a few things at the hospital before bringing Alisa home, and when she needs a diaper change it's no problem. "I've mastered it already in three weeks," he said.

The grandparents have been helping out so Podkolzin can keep his training regimen and he and Sasha can run errands during the day. At night, Mom and Dad have full responsibility over Alisa's demands, and they've accepted this new routine. Podkolzin says they're trying to get into a rhythm before the season starts and their parents go back to Russia.

Over the next two months, he'll be continuing to focus on his workouts and practice in between dad duties. He's pushing himself to come to Training Camp in the best shape possible, satisfying one of Tocchet's rules for the team to start the season. The days are long, but Podkolzin says Alisa makes the hard work more than worth it.

"It's a different feel for me right now, I'm just smiling all the time. Going home to see my daughter, that's what makes me happy right now."