Greenburgh, NY - Day 1 of the Rangers prospect camp at the MSG Training Center was all about one aspect of the game: conditioning.
In attendance at the camp included Rangers Head Coach John Tortorella, General Manager Glen Sather, and former Ranger Adam Graves, who was assisting with the on-ice activities.
26 rookies and prospects were invited to the camp which began on Monday, June 29 in Greenburgh, NY. The players were divided initially into 2 groups, the first of which took the ice at 9:30am and included the likes of the Rangers 2009 first round draft selection, Chris Krieder, as well as second round pick Ethan Werek, former first round pick Michael Del Zotto, and newly acquired defensive prospect Ilka Heikkenen.
Group 2, which took the ice about 30 minutes later, included third round pick Ryan Bourque, and OHL Rookie of the Year for 2008, Evgeny Grachev.
Group 2, which took the ice about 30 minutes later, included third round pick Ryan Bourque, and OHL Rookie of the Year for 2008, Evgeny Grachev.
The early portion of the practice was devoted to skating. Players took part in sprint drills, which included taking several sets of laps around the length of the ice while wearing heart rate belts.
Grachev stood out for his size and skating stride, though was not necessarily fleet of foot. Bourque, however, was very quick as was Kreider. Both seemed to possess the speed the Rangers have been searching for.
The latter portion of the day was based more on game-like action, including breakout drills, breakaways and a 3 v. 3 scrimmage. Each of the players worked through the simulations intended to provide a more "game feel" to the workout.
Grachev stood out for his size and skating stride, though was not necessarily fleet of foot. Bourque, however, was very quick as was Kreider. Both seemed to possess the speed the Rangers have been searching for.
The latter portion of the day was based more on game-like action, including breakout drills, breakaways and a 3 v. 3 scrimmage. Each of the players worked through the simulations intended to provide a more "game feel" to the workout.
Camp ended around 12:00pm, and the players were due to report back by 6:00pm for a 3-mile run.
Day 2 of the camp will again be heavily devoted to skating and conditioning. Included on the coach's agenda will be 45 laps around the ice, divided into 3 sets of 15.
Following the on-ice portion, Tortorella explained his intention to create stronger minded players and that "soft thinking" would not be accepted.
Last season, former coach Tom Renney was praised for the condition his players were in during training camp. However, as the season wore on and into the playoffs, the players were both mentally and physically fatigued.
Tortorella vowed not to allow that to happen again.
We'll be covering camp all week so stay tuned for continuous updates...
- by Jason Akeson
Last season, former coach Tom Renney was praised for the condition his players were in during training camp. However, as the season wore on and into the playoffs, the players were both mentally and physically fatigued.
Tortorella vowed not to allow that to happen again.
We'll be covering camp all week so stay tuned for continuous updates...
- by Jason Akeson
