For many of us, getting in shape falls somewhere on the to-do list between the annual physical checkup and returning books to the library. We know we should work out, but lacking the discipline to actually follow through, we skip the gym in favour of a beer, exercising nothing but the pint-lifting arm. But for Boyd Devereaux, staying in shape is part of a day’s work. The 29-year-old Maple Leaf has been playing in the NHL for a decade and manages to juggle his athletic career, parenting two kids and releasing music through Elevation Records (with ex-Dirtbomb Joe Greenwald). We spoke to Devereaux about keeping fit, eating well and Black Mountain side projects.
You guys have an off-season. How do you get back in shape when it’s time to go back to playing?
Well, you pretty much have to. You can take a couple of weeks off usually but summer is pretty important for training. They have us sit at the weights, running and riding the bike, and a lot of dry-land stuff like plyometrics, which is a lot of jumping, leaping and bounding…. That will definitely get you into shape pretty quick.
So, you never really stop the aerobic part of the routine: the running and spinning?
Oh no. That is a big part of it, your heart. You have got to be able to have good wind out there [on the ice] so they have us doing all sorts of track work: sprinting or on a bike. Between the weights and the cardio training, that stuff is typical of the way people work out but it is doubly important for us I suppose.
You’re 29, married and just had your second kid. For most people, this is the age when we get paunchy and fat. You have a job that keeps you fit, but for most of us, it is hard to stay in shape.
Yeah it’s part of my job, part of playing at this level. You have to put the time in and make yourself a better player. I guess it is a fortunate bonus that it’s my job to be healthy and be fit. It is not the main reason why I do it, but certainly it helps. Having friends this age, life kicks into high gear and I can imagine how it can be hard to find the time.
I’ve learned a lot over the years, this being my 10th season in the league. I definitely eat a lot different than when I was just starting out. For the most part, I try to eat well but I do have a sweet tooth and I like drinking beers on the deck in summer like everyone else. It is a tough balance to find.
Do you have any particular places around town you like to go to work out?
I drive every day down the Lakeshore and now that spring is coming I get the urge to go down there for a run outside. And I do that when I come back to town at the beginning of the off-season. I do enjoy running outside when I can — anything to get a chance to put the headphones on and get some good listening time.
Perhaps an Elevation artist? Have you seen reviews for the new Blood Meridian?
I think [Blood Meridian’s] Matt [Camarind] intended to release this himself, this bedroom record, just for himself. I don’t think he anticipated people getting hold of it. Maybe he was underestimating [his other band Black Mountain’s] popularity. I think it is awesome.
It must be pretty cool to be able to release music that you like.
Yeah, it is cool. Our next release is this band from Australia, a post-rock band, called Laura. This will be the first time we will put a little money towards the recording. So now I have the excitement and anticipation of waiting for them to turn it in, I am pretty fired up. I don’t know what it is going to sound like. It’s all new to me!
Do your bands know about your career as a hockey player? Athletes are often stereotyped — when they find out, it must be mind-blowing.
I don’t know if they would really care down in Australia but I think they know about my partner Joe Greenwald. I am just excited to meet such cool people through this. That has been the greatest thing for me — getting to know great guys and ladies.