The 2014-15 season is still pretty young, but already it’s clear Ryan Kesler feels comfortable with the Anaheim Ducks. As expected, he has been a key piece of the team’s offense and he has helped propel Anaheim to the top of the Western Conference. Perhaps more importantly, Kesler is also enjoying his life away from the rink as well. A recent article from Sportsnet.ca reveals that Kesler doesn’t miss the spotlight he was playing under in Vancouver.
When asked about the biggest difference between playing in Anaheim versus Vancouver:
“I think just being able to enjoy your time off the ice. You can be with your family and kind of just live your life like a normal person and not have that famous part of it.”
Kesler was a celebrity in Vancouver. In Anaheim, he blends in and the fans who would recognize him are smaller in number. The pressure isn’t quite as significant. The media outlets, a subject which Kesler goes on to address in the Sportsnet article, aren’t as critical.
“That’s the problem with Vancouver. The media makes up a lot of stories that aren’t true. To be honest, I was really sick of certain media guys throwing people under the bus.
No matter how much my old teammates say it doesn’t bother them, it affects them. It does in that city.”
Those are some harsh words from Kesler, but they aren’t surprising. Hockey is the focal point in Vancouver and as a result it receives a ton of media coverage and scrutiny. Meanwhile, Anaheim is one of the top teams in the NHL and the feeling with the media is much more relaxed. Such is life in a city where hockey isn’t the lifeblood.
