Welcome to The Inner Rink: The Mental Game No One Teaches You
Every player trains their body. Few ever train their mind. This is where the real game begins.
“This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports bestows on us.”
Hey, I’m Joe.
I write The Inner Rink—a weekly newsletter about the psychology of performance, discipline, and greatness—on and off the ice.
I’m a pro hockey player turned writer and mentor—here to be the guy I wish I had when I was chasing the dream.
I created The Inner Rink to talk about the part of the game no one teaches—the mental side.
Because the truth is, the hardest battles aren’t on the ice. They’re the ones in your head.
From discipline and identity to the quiet that follows when the ice melts, I’m here to help the next generation navigate what comes after talent—the mindset, the focus, the identity, and the fight to stay sharp.
Thanks for reading and let’s dig in!
— Joe Drapluk
The guy I wish I had when I was chasing the dream.
Why I Started The Inner Rink
Every athlete knows the outer rink—the one with boards, lights, and fans, but there’s another one—the rink inside.
The inside rink is where confidence, composure, and focus are sharpened.
When I was chasing the dream, no one talked about that rink.
No one explained how to handle the doubt between games, the silence after a loss, or who you are when the lights go out.
That’s why I started The Inner Rink: to share the mental playbook I had to build the hard way.
Because now, more than ever, athletes are realizing that the biggest game isn’t played under the lights—it’s played in the mind.
What You’ll Find Here
This publication is about mastering the six inches between your ears.
Every week, I’ll unpack lessons on:
Discipline: how to train your mind like you train your body.
Confidence: how to rebuild it when it’s been shattered.
Focus: how to stay composed under pressure.
Identity: who you are when the jersey comes off.
These aren’t theories.
They’re lessons sharped from pro level experiences, real rinks, real pressure, and real mistakes.
Who The Inner Rink is For
The Inner Rink is for players chasing the dream, who want to become elite athletes on and off the ice—and for anyone who knows what it feels like to want more from themselves.
Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or competitor, if you believe greatness starts from the inside out, you’ll fit right in here.
The Inner Rink Mission
After navigating pro hockey without an agent, I made a promise to be the guy I wish I had—for the next generation.
This is more than a newsletter.
The Inner Rink a mindset, an identity, and a community of like-minded individuals who can become your teammates off the ice, for life.
A place to learn, sharpen, gain mental clarity, have accountability, and stay ready for when the next shift comes.
Always remember, iron sharpens iron!
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that greatness isn’t built under the lights.
Greatness is built in the unseen hours, in the inner rink where your mindset is tested the most.
This publication is my way of passing that forward and to help the next generation stay disciplined, confident, and grounded when the pressure hits.
Welcome to The Inner Rink. The game inside starts here.
Thank you so much and I appreciate you reading.
—Joe Drapluk
The guy I wish I had when I was chasing the dream.
“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.” —Gary Mack
🥅 Thank You for Being Here
If this article resonated with you, consider joining the Captain’s Circle of The Inner Rink—a private space for players and competitors who want to master the mental game. Inside, you’ll get exclusive mindset breakdowns, pro-level training insights, and behind-the-scenes lessons from life on and off the ice.
When you’re chasing the dream, no one teaches you how to handle the noise, the pressure, or the moments you start questioning who you are off the ice. That’s why I started writing The Inner Rink. Because sometimes, what you really need isn’t another drill—it’s someone who’s been there.
🏆Up Next in The Inner Rink:
The Shift No One Sees
The unseen battle every athlete faces and how to win it.
DISCLAIMER
The Inner Rink shares educational content for athletes and readers interested in performance psychology, mindset, and discipline. It is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. Always seek guidance from a qualified health care professional regarding your specific questions and individual situation.
When’s the next post coming out??
i’m working until seven 7️⃣ zzz is there anything else you want now to bring me home just in time to go home and eat dinner don’t know on what else but i’ll take care love ❤️ you just know that you’re loved 🥰