Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/889690
The Ottawa Senators entered into the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the biggest underdogs in the league; no one expected them to make it out of the first round, let alone fall to the eventual Stanley Cup champions in the Conference finals, but as top playoff performer Mike Hoffman puts it: "Anything can happen in the playoffs." The Kitchener, Ontario, native is coming off his third consecutive season with over 25 goals for the Sens after a year that can only be described as a "Cinderella story." Hoffman has been an influential player for the Senators' roster, twice leading the team in goal scoring and seeing his total points increase every year. He credits his NHL success to his competitive spirit, saying it is "human nature to want to be the best." Though an undoubtedly proud Canadian, Mike prefers travelling to warmer destinations to escape the harsh winters. DS CELEBRITY TRAVEL CORNER >> BY EMILY DE SOUSA Q&A WHAT WAS IT LIKE THIS PAST SEASON, GOING INTO THE PLAYOFFS AS AN UNDERDOG AND MAKING IT AS FAR AS YOU DID? Everyone's expectation at the start of the season is to make the playoffs and, as we've seen in past years, it doesn't depend on which seed you finish. You have to beat the best team eventually; only one team can win and unfortunately it wasn't us. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC PRE-GAME RITUALS? I have routines, like having breakfast around the same time and napping before games. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE NHL TEAM GROWING UP? Detroit Red Wings. WHAT HAS BEEN A CAREER HIGHLIGHT THUS FAR? Making it as far as we did in the playoffs last year was by far the biggest accomplishment at this level of hockey, so far. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CANADA? I love that here hockey is our No. 1 sport. For me, being a profes- sional hockey player makes it that much cooler. IN THE OFF-SEASON, WHEN YOU'RE TRAVELLING FOR FUN, WHAT TYPES OF THINGS DO YOU LIKE TO DO? I like getting away to a nice beach where I don't have to think about anything and can just kick back and relax. The last couple of years I've gone to Mexico and loved it; Europe is still in my future travel plans though. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE YOU'VE EVER TRAVELLED? The Bahamas. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION TO PLAY IN ON THE ROAD? Florida and Los Angeles are definitely tied. The weather is always nice in Florida and Los Angeles has some of the best restaurants in the world. DS PHOTO: NHL ON THE TRAIL WITH A HOCKEY STAR FALL/ WINTER 2017 DREAMSCAPES 21