Inline Hockey Tip: Peanut Butter And A Big Jug Of Water

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Kaneohe inline hockey standout Shaun Apiki (back, center) and his Windward Wolfpack teammates. Photo from Laurie Apiki.

Shaun Apiki can relate to the grind known as the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. Not that a lot of games in a short period of time don’t add to the spectacle, given the endurance it takes a team to win a Cup.

With that in mind, the 10-year-old Kaneohe youth set a personal endurance milestone last Friday when he was to play in five games as part of the 2009 USA Hockey Inline Summer Showdown at Kaoma’aiku Neighborhood Park in Mililani.

Even for an experienced inline player, five games in a day is a demanding prospect, but Apiki was chosen to compete in both the 10-and-under and 12-and-under divisions with the Oahu Inline Hockey League’s Select all-star teams.

“My mom (Laurie) always fills up my big water jug so I can play my hardest,” Apiki said on the eve of the showdown. “I’ve played two or three games in a day, but this will be much harder. My brother (Daniel Apiki) will be coaching us, and he’s going to have us on short shifts (to stay fresh).”

Apiki, who played for the Windward Wolfpack this past season, took up inline hockey when he was 5 and travels to tournaments whenever he can. He hopes his next destination will be Hershey Center in Mississauga, Ontario, which will host the National Inline Hockey Tournament in mid to late July with either his own all-star team or as an invitee with another Hawaii-based select team.

A student at St. Ann’s in Kaneohe, he took some time away from the rink last week to answer some questions for Windward Islander.

How did you get started in inline hockey? What’s the most enjoyable part of playing? I like trying to make a goal. It’s a hard challenge. My brother used to play, and my mom wanted me to follow him. When I first started to play, I thought it was interesting. It’s nonstop. It can be difficult, especially when you have only two guys on the bench. Those are the days you get the most tired.

What’s your favorite pre-game meal? You have to have a good breakfast before you play. One time I didn’t eat a good breakfast, and it was hard to play. Mostly, I eat peanut butter and jelly (inside two Eggo waffles) before a game. (“He doesn’t like eggs too much,” added Mom.)

What was your experience like last summer when you traveled to a national inline tournament in San Jose, Calif.? Teams up there were very hard (to play against). They work very hard to push themselves, and it was my first time playing indoors, with air conditioning. It makes your throat start to get dry. The teams there are good. We can see how they play, and they can see how we play. We usually figure out how they play in the first period, and that helps us figure out a strategy for the second period.”

Do you watch much professional hockey? Who’s your favorite team and why? I watch hockey and baseball. The Detroit Red Wings are pretty good. They play as a team and they support each other. They pass it correctly and they trust in each other. When one guy makes a pass, he knows that guy (receiving the pass) will do a good job (with the puck).

Who’s your hockey hero and why? Wayne Gretzky. Me and him are both lefties. I also have more assists than goals like he did. Usually, I’m passing.

What’s your favorite position in hockey? Even if you play back (on defense), you usually play most of the positions. I’ve even played goalie ... Not too good. And it was very hot with all the equipment on.

How long did you skate before you felt comfortable on the rink? It took about two months when I first started. When I was 6, I started to go to (interisland) tournaments and that made my skills more better. It was hard at first to balance them (the skates).

Even some professional athletes have admitted to pre-game jitters - at least until the game begins.Are you nervous before a game? Idon’t feel nervous.I feel happy when I’m playing. I’ve been doing it for a long time. I try to play my hardest and just play hockey.”