Josh Hossan had to stop and think about whether he was more nervous: making his NHL debut with the Islanders or releasing his first rap album, “SAME,” last week.
He chuckled and then answered.
“Honestly, it’s probably because this album was such a new feeling. Hockey, I know that,” Ho-Sang told The Post by phone. “My music was literally like minor hockey. I felt like I was doing ‘Learn to Skate’ and I felt like I was being exposed.”
The meaning behind his music, App Pick-Up Pro Sports or PUP — Aims to help users find pick-up games, events, and practices that reward them for being active — When two passion projects are released days apart Ho-Sang was understandably nervous.
In Ho-Sang’s words, the app allows people to “connect on a higher level,” while creating a space where “people can work, learn, and get rewarded.” .
Now 28 years old and several years removed from his time with the Islanders, where he drafted the forward 28th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft, Ho-Sang is in a much different situation than he was during his sometimes chaotic experience on Long Island. be.
Hosang, who is restarting his hockey career with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, said in a candid, nearly 45-minute conversation with the Post that he was “cloudy” after hearing constant criticism. explained how it played a role in spiritual healing. That led to some mistakes he’s made over the years.
“It’s strange to be told who you are throughout the developmental stages of 18 to 22 years old. People say, ‘You’re lazy, you don’t do this, you don’t do that.’ And at that age, you’re still trying to find your identity,” Hosang said. “I think I wanted the music to express some of the depth that all athletes have, not just me. I could provide a perspective on some of the things that I’ve been through, and some of the things that I’ve been through. I was able to share that although it hurt, it didn’t defeat me.”
Ho-Sang’s time with the Islanders is still viewed as a “what if” by fans who embraced him immediately when he was drafted 10 years ago.
There was no question about his offensive ability, but there were questions about his personality.
He also couldn’t help his cause at times, which Ho-Sang admits.
“All you can do is take responsibility for what you did. If I could say right now that I was perfect in New York, I would. I wasn’t, but that’s the reality. . We made some mistakes here and there,” Hosang said.
Hossan said he remembers the good times more than the bad times from his time with the Islanders, including the fact that he was able to play with Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey and witnessed Matt Barzal’s outstanding rookie campaign. listed.
Nevertheless, what became clear was the impact of dressing up in public on the first day of training camp in 2015.
Ho-san showed up late, Built to run up the steps of Nassau Coliseum Rumors of the incident became media fodder while he was chastised by then-general manager Garth Snow for more than three hours before being packed up and sent back to junior hockey.
“So imagine being 19 years old?” he said. “Those eight hours were just hell. For me, it was a little chaotic. I was lucky enough to be sent to a great organization in the Niagara Ice Dogs to help me find my footing and from there, We were able to achieve success.”
Winger said he understands “to some degree” why the Islanders decided to make the details so public, but said it left him feeling “very exposed.”
Ho-Sang went on to play in 53 NHL games with the Islanders, including 21 games in 2016-17, when he had four goals and 10 points, but the stigma and outside noise continued to haunt him. I didn’t leave.
“What probably wasn’t clear to people was that when I was 19 years old, I wrote articles in the New York Times, New York Post, and Toronto Star about how I was late and how I was late. I think it was basically the most successful draft pick of the last five years,” Hossan said. “And I don’t play a lot of straight games, so when your game starts to be questioned, everything goes into question.”
Music has always been a part of Ho Sang’s life since he was a child, whether it be visiting his father (Wayne Ho Sang, a member of the reggae band Hujativ) or listening to his father play the piano at home. I was listening to it. In later years, at the suggestion of his therapist, Ho-Sang said he began to find an outlet for himself outside of his organizational structure.
“My therapist encouraged me to use music to help me figure out how I was feeling,” he said. “‘Just write the song, write the song, and if you notice something coming up over and over again, that’s a good sign that it’s in your head, so you need to deal with it.'” So I said, started using music that way. And I think music has saved me in many ways throughout my battles from age 22 until now. There’s a song that literally saved my life. ”
Back to this month, Ho-sang hoped that the song “SAME” would help people going through difficult times and that his journey would be a source of inspiration.
Ho-Sang said that while he didn’t do it, many people in the hockey world, including several former general managers, listen to his music and give him a deeper understanding of what he’s been through. He said he heard that. Please specify one.
The forward expressed concern that his message might get lost in some of the song’s more explicit lyrics, but the positive messages he received were, “No one in the hockey world thinks there’s anything wrong with that.” I reconfirmed what I had done. Sometimes people don’t know. ”
Ho-Sang scored his first ECHL goal in Saturday’s second game against the Everblades, finishing with two points.
Is the NHL still a goal?
“For me, I just want to play hockey. If they think I’m cute and want to put me in the NHL, that’s great, but for me I just want to win. ,” Hosang said.
And more importantly, he is finding peace.
“I’m incredibly proud of where I’m standing today,” he said. “Because there were times when I didn’t think I would be able to do it, and I think being able to overcome that doubt that I felt in the past has given me a lot of strength for the future. I feel like I can do anything. I feel like I’m in a mental state.
“I released a rap album that people wouldn’t hate. I created an app that empowers social action, moves people, has fun, and allows me to offer those gifts to the world. And It’s like a gift to myself to be able to come back and play hockey. …Yeah, I’m the happiest person in the world.”
