Latest news with #JohnDunn
National Post
04-06-2025
- General
- National Post
Psychology 101: The mental gymnastics behind this Edmonton Oilers Cup run
You'd be hard pressed to find much finer physical specimens in all of hockey than the ones playing in the Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place beginning Wednesday (6 p.m., CBC, Sportsnet). Article content But physical attributes alone didn't earn the Edmonton Oilers a rematch against the same Florida Panthers who edged them 2-1 in Game 7 of last year's championship series. Article content Article content And what a series it was. Near miraculous, in fact, if you happen to be an Oilers fan who witnessed your team falling behind 3-0 before fighting back with three straight wins of their own to force one final rubber match. Article content Only to end up on the wrong side of the deciding goal that spelled the difference between utter elation and the resounding defeat that left a bad taste in their mouths all off-season. Or longer. Article content They now find themselves on the precipice of a do-over as their road to redemption has brought them back, once again, to Round 4. And against the very same opponent, to boot. Article content It's the kind of thing that can mess with the mind, which is exactly what the Oilers don't need right now as they focus on the task at hand in their pursuit of the ultimate prize. Article content So, we reached out to Dr. John Dunn, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta faculty of kinesiology, sport and recreation. If the title seems like a mouthful, think sports psychologist who retired after decades of work providing coaching and mental training to elite athletes, Olympians, NHL teams, curler Kevin Koe, as well as the Armed Forces and law enforcement. Article content Basically, he's a rock star of mental gymnastics. So, without further ado, let's crack open the cabbage of the Edmonton Oilers over this past year. Article content 'To be honest, if I'm Kris Knoblauch working with these players, I don't think you should be talking about last year, because last year is so done and dusted and has absolutely no bearing on what's about to happen,' said Dunn, who worked with the Oilers for three seasons following their previous trip to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. Article content Article content Even then it felt like a drought, and that was only 16 years since their last Stanley Cup championship. But that's what you get when your city celebrated a dynasty of five Cups in seven years from 1984-90. Article content 'I think there's a real danger,' Dunn said. 'We as fans and the media, and everybody, love it. Look at you, you're writing a story, right? It's fun to talk about it that way, but as an athlete and a team, it's two different teams. There are different players on both teams.
The Citizen
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Show off your move at dance competition
Show off your move at dance competition THE second annual 'Shake It Don't Break It' is returning to the Mariannridge community on Saturday, May 31. This year's competition, themed 'Show Off Your Moves!' will be held at the Mariannridge Secondary School Hall from 16:00 and event organisers said they are introducing two categories to encourage broader participation. 'There is a Senior Category (ages 18 and above) and the Junior Category (ages 6 to 17),' said one of the organisers, John Dunn. In addition to the group performances, Dunn said a new 1 vs 1 Dance Battle, sponsored by A.N. Clothing, will see selected dancers compete for exclusive prizes. Also read: Win tickets to the Shongweni Motor Show – A weekend of wheels, music, markets & more The competition will be judged by a line-up of dance experts, and comedian and entertainer Andrew Hughes will be the MC for the day. Dunn advised that performances will be family-friendly. 'Drugs, alcohol, and weapons are prohibited. Children under 10 require adult supervision.' Amapiano icon Mfana Kah Gogo will be the special guest. Tickets are available via Quicket.· For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
