CAMP FOR PROSPECTS BEGINS
Wednesday, 07.08.2009 / 5:55 PM
/ Features
By Dave Vest
Twenty wannabe-Coyotes practiced together for the first time at the Desert Schools Coyotes Center in Peoria on Wednesday morning as part of the team's four-day development camp for prospects.
The camp continues with similar on-ice workouts on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
All six of the players the Coyotes recently selected at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft – defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, forward Chris Brown, goalie Mike Lee, forward Jordan Szwarz, defenseman Justin Weller and forward Evan Bloodoff – are at the camp. Weller and Bloodoff (pronounced Bloo-doff) - will be limited because of minor injuries.
Coyotes Assistant Coach Doug Sulliman, Power Skating Coach Mark Ciaccio and Director of Prospect Development Sean Burke helped lead the workout as General Manager Don Maloney, Assistant General Manager Brad Treliving and Director of Amateur Scouting Keith Gretzky observed from the bleachers.
“This camp really gives these young players a chance to see what it’s like to play for an NHL team and it gives us a chance to gauge their fitness level at this point of the off-season," Treliving said. "And there were some tongues dragging after the workout, that’s for sure.”
After the workout, which last about 90 minutes, the prospects returned to Jobing.com Arena for lunch. After the meal, Maloney and Treliving assembled the players in the dressing room, closed the door, and spoke to them at length about what it takes to make it to the NHL and what’s expected of them as members of the Coyotes organization.
Once the meeting was over, the players headed to the exercise room for workouts with Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Mike Bahn.
Other prospects at the camp include forwards Brett MacLean and Colin Long, and defensemen Jonas Ahnelov and David Schlemko.
The players will return to the ice Thursday morning at 9:15 a.m.
The camp continues with similar on-ice workouts on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
All six of the players the Coyotes recently selected at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft – defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, forward Chris Brown, goalie Mike Lee, forward Jordan Szwarz, defenseman Justin Weller and forward Evan Bloodoff – are at the camp. Weller and Bloodoff (pronounced Bloo-doff) - will be limited because of minor injuries.
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| Oliver Ekman-Larsson. |
“This camp really gives these young players a chance to see what it’s like to play for an NHL team and it gives us a chance to gauge their fitness level at this point of the off-season," Treliving said. "And there were some tongues dragging after the workout, that’s for sure.”
After the workout, which last about 90 minutes, the prospects returned to Jobing.com Arena for lunch. After the meal, Maloney and Treliving assembled the players in the dressing room, closed the door, and spoke to them at length about what it takes to make it to the NHL and what’s expected of them as members of the Coyotes organization.
Once the meeting was over, the players headed to the exercise room for workouts with Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Mike Bahn.
Other prospects at the camp include forwards Brett MacLean and Colin Long, and defensemen Jonas Ahnelov and David Schlemko.
The players will return to the ice Thursday morning at 9:15 a.m.
