Talk it out
After every game, Ullmark huddles with goaltending coach Bob Essensa to review his performance. Some breakdowns are not as fun as others.
But especially in such instances, an objective review helps Ullmark wind down. Essensa’s analysis allows him to understand how a goal went in, learn from the situation and play it better next time.
“When I was in the minors or in Buffalo, I would beat myself up if I didn’t talk about it right after,” Ullmark says. “I’d play it over and over and over again. ‘I should have done this. I should have done that.’”
Ullmark leaves everything at the rink. When he gets home, his wife, Moa, is always awake. More conversation follows. Sleep comes easily after that.
“I just sit there, eat, talk to her, see how the kids’ days were,” Ullmark says. “Talk about things that are bigger than hockey. And that’s it.”
