Todd Graham - Chasing the hockey life

“Hey remember, you’re playing with men now, you have to play like a man.”

The wise words from Melbourne Ice veteran Joseph Hughes.

On the receiving end of this pre-game advice was a 15-year-old boy, preparing to strut his stuff for the first time. In 2006, Todd Graham suited up for the Melbourne Ice, a mere schoolboy preparing to make his AIHL debut.

“I was a kid playing with men,” Graham said.

This was a test for the timid rising star, who claimed to be an easy target “as a tall, string bean kid.”

“Back then the Aussie game here was just everybody trying to hurt everyone, but I really looked forward to it. I put enough time in and got the chance to go and I really took hold of it.”

(Pictured Todd Graham at the Canada Day Classic - Photo - Andrew McNamara)

From that day on, Graham’s career excelled. He had a taste of the big-time, and worked hard to ensure ice hockey would be a part of his life for many years to come, and 11 seasons later, the 26-year-old is still pulling on the navy Ice jersey.

However, strapping on the gear prior to each match isn’t as simple as it seems. With rich idiosyncrasies, Graham has to dress his right side before adjusting the left.

But it seems to be working, as he travels around the world to play the game he loves. For the past 11 years, he has participated in back-to-back seasons in Australia and overseas. This opportunity to play globally is a challenge Graham thoroughly enjoys.

“It may not look different (playing internationally) but it’s so different on the ice when you’re playing it.”

Each country requires Graham to adapt to the style of play, with North America being “very crash bang and aggressive,” as opposed to the high possession game in Sweden.

“I’d say the biggest difference is the general knowledge of the game, from not only the players but the spectators as well. Although it’s great here and everybody is really enthusiastic and wants to learn about it, it’s not ingrained in them as much as North America, Sweden or Europe.”

He no longer feels the same nerves as he did when he was in his teenage years, but the new environments pose constant concerns.

“Not necessarily about how I’m going to do, but kind of trying to do my best for the team with what I have.”

His dedication to the sport makes him an outstanding proposition, but there is another attribute contributing to his success - just ask Swedish teammate Sebastian Ottosson.

“The first thing I saw when he came into the locker room was [he’s] huge. Big guy,” Ottosson said. “When he has the puck it’s hard to get it from him. He’s good at protecting and strong in corners.”

(Todd Graham towers over a Sydney Bear - Photo - Andrew McNamara)

Graham agrees that his 196cm frame is of great benefit to him on the ice.

“Absolutely,” Graham said. “Especially with my reach. I can be in the presence of somebody which can create a different play which an average height player wouldn’t.”

However, the gift of height doesn’t hand you an ice hockey career, in fact, it poses its challenges as well.

“One thing that usually comes with bigger guys is they struggle to be aggressive and it’s one thing I’ve always struggled with,” Graham said. “Even today I have to constantly work on it.”

Graham is known as a selfless teammate, but admittedly a somewhat annoying one behind closed doors; a light-hearted character his teammates have conceded is the type of person you want to have around the group.

An ice hockey team becomes a close-knit family, which is important for these young men who make large sacrifices to pursue a career in the game, because being a full-time athlete is extremely demanding.

“I do get time off, but it’s not a full summer. It’s also a mental thing. Getting away from the game and taking time off. I only really get to see my parents twice a year, so that’s a big thing.”

Graham, like many athletes, has dedicated his life to sport, and as a result, has already achieved exceptional results throughout his young career.

But it does come at a cost.

“I think one thing that I’ve been kind of chasing is that hockey life of playing all over the world. But I only get to spend two or three months in Melbourne which is one of the greatest cities on the planet.

“That being said, I have seen a lot of things and don’t regret anything. But I absolutely would love to settle down in Melbourne. I’ve got really close friends here and all my family is here and everything so it’s kind of home.”

However, Melbourne didn’t first become home to Graham until the age of seven.

“I was born in Sydney. At 10 weeks old I moved to Minnesota and lived there for six years for my dad’s work. Growing up in Minnesota it is the hockey state.”

Graham was exposed to ice hockey from a young age, beginning by playing roller hockey competitively in Melbourne, before following his friends and making the jump to ice hockey.

From that point on, he never looked back. He was blessed with natural talent and within eight years became a professional ice hockey player.

“I then made the jump to Florida in the States for the next 10 years, and last year I was in Sweden with these guys.”

Fortunately for Graham, he has had “no major setbacks, no major injuries”, and he knocked on the table for good luck, hoping to continue his uninterrupted career for many years to come.

For Graham, the biggest challenge of being an athlete “is probably mentally trying to cope with it and stay focused.”

The tall defender is in the prime of his career, and despite already achieving greatness in the AIHL, the future is just as bright for Todd Graham.

(Todd Graham takes his place in the slot against the Sydney Bears  Photo - Andrew McNamara)