Spencer Stastney's On and Off Ice Work Is Paying Off To Start This Season
The defenseman is making the most of his NHL opportunity and finding joy along the way.
“It’s been quite the journey.”
Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney has put in a lot of work the last year both on and off the ice.
On the ice, he survived a tough end to last season in Nashville and navigated the adjustments the team made defensively this season.
“We went into training camp with a different plan there,” Stastney said about the Predators defense.
“It’s a lot of layers, making sure we have clear understanding of the wingers, what they’re doing, what centers are doing, what quadrants we’re running.”
Clarity has been key.
“It’s just a lot of communication, a lot of understanding the clear roles we have.”
Last season the Predators defense finished sixth worst in the league in goals against. This season, clarity on the blue line has been a key factor in Nashville’s 4-4-2 start.
Stastney has been a significant part of that success.
On Saturday night against the LA Kings, Stastney made a diving save to help Juuse Saros keep the puck out of the back of the net, and on Sunday the 25-year-old scored his first goal of the season.
Stastney has four points in his last four games, already surpassing his points total in 23 games last season.
The off ice work Stastney did over the last year has played a big part in his on ice success.
In September 2024, Stastney informed the Predators that he would not be reporting to training camp and entered the NHLPA Assistance Program seeking help for depression and anxiety. He shared his story with Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on an episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast this August.
Working on himself away from the arena helped Stastney find the joy in hockey once again. He had plenty of support through his mental health journey. Stastney credits the Predators organization, the NHLPA, his family, his therapist, and Mark Borowiecki for walking alongside him.
Working with Borowiecki last fall was as much about off ice conversation as on ice drills.
“He’s a big reason I’m here today,” Stastney said of Boro.
“He’s been wonderful. I think it was just getting to know his story. I know he’s been through some stuff too and been there for me. Yeah, he didn’t make it easy for me on the ice, but that’s what I needed. He made it fun. He made it personable.”
“I owe a lot to him,” Stastney said. “I know he had someone who helped him along as well, so I think it’s just a pay it forward sort of thing. Hopefully one day I’ll have someone I can share my experiences with too.”
Stastney was in a better place mentally and ready for training camp this September.
“I’m sure I’m different than most guys,” Stastney joked when asked about this year’s camp.
“I mean this year is just going to training camp.”
“I set a good mindset,” Stastney said. “I just was looking forward to getting back, getting back to being here, getting on the ice, having fun out there.”
He admits that in previous summers he stepped away from the rink and training almost entirely.
How did a pro athlete get away with taking entire summers off before?
“Good genes,” Stastney said.
This summer he maintained his sessions in the gym and on the ice in between traveling and relaxing. The offseason work Stastney put in is paying off.
Genetics, skill, and peace have combined for an impressive start to his season.
After a strong training camp and the early injuries to Nic Hague and Roman Josi, Stastney has been in the line up for the first ten games of the season.
It will be hard to justify taking him out when Josi returns.
Love this (although a few tears were shed)! So happy for him and it looks like he's having fun again.