Ex-BU professor has them psyched up

Although he’s done this before, his work with the Canucks is far more comprehensive, moving beyond sports psychology. While the Canucks were readying for the Stanley Cup finals against the Bruins this week, Zaichkowsky was in Toronto, interviewing potential choices for the upcoming draft.

“I’m a psychologist for the Canucks, but my role is bigger in the sense that I’m trying to make sure that, for example, we’re using cutting-edge research to have the best nutrition program possible for a sport like hockey, a primarily anaerobic sport,’’ he said. “Making sure that we’re using the best strength and conditioning methods that are out there. Same with using technology to develop mental skills. So I’m trying to assimilate the best science that’s out there in the world.’’

Asked where he’s seen the biggest impact from Zaichkowsky, Canucks center Ryan Kesler smiled.

“Our record,’’ he said.

“He’s been good,’’ Kesler added. “He has some strategies that have helped a lot. He’s big on the sleep thing and learning when and how to rest. That’s been the biggest help.’’

That “sleep thing’’ or sleep monitoring program, as Zaichkowsky refers to it, has been particularly important for the Canucks, who log long distances and rarely play a road game close to home.

“It’s so huge in the recovery of athletes if you’re traveling,’’ Zaichkowsky said. “Just look at right now with the Canucks going to Boston, Boston coming [to Vancouver]. You’re changing time zones, you’re flying long distances, and the body takes a beating. It’s got to recover. That’s a thing that we’ve really emphasized more than anyone’s ever done in the past. We try to instill in the players the importance of getting sleep, wherever it might be, to help recover.’’