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The Atlantic Division is a bit of a gauntlet for a rebuilding team. A long line of punishing opponents waiting to give their best shots in a baptism of bruises. The strong division will benefit those who make and partake in this rebuild.
Here is a link for the prospects tournament schedule. The schedule is actually much condensed with only 5 teams participating this year. If you’ve not been to Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, it is a beautiful setup. Just a couple miles from the majestic view of Lake Michigan, and the weather still hospitable to various water sports. During one of my latter stays, Chris Chelios was staying at the same hotel we were and had his paddle boards lined up on the beach. He was out every day enjoying the sun and fresh water surf.
The normal setup for this tournament is a bit chaotic. Usually 4 games per day (divided between two rinks) and the ice pays the price. By the time Detroit’s training camp starts, round the clock maintenance will have done its level best to repair it. This year there are only 2 games per day starting on the 16th. All but one (per schedule) will be played on the West Rink, which means they should be available via stream. The arena did some internet upgrades a couple years ago because the Toronto fans kept shutting it down (numbers, numbers. Toronto always has a strong following).
This is certainly a year to watch as Detroit’s cupboards are filling up nicely. It also lends itself to exactly how difficult it is for a prospect to have a good camp and preseason. They will play in these games (and the competition is high) along with high impact workouts and sessions that cover everything from social media presence expectations to dietary and yoga workshops.
After a hard fought tournament (plenty of physicality from future grinders hoping to gain attention) the camp begins. The physical tests are insane (Larkin has a massive vertical leap, almost hit the ceiling a few times) and the workouts get harder. By now the prospects have played a week of full contact games that the pros haven’t played. The exercises are designed to get you back into playing shape. The odd day off is welcome as you can see the muscle pain.
From there, the camp ends in a Red and White scrimmage and the “B Team” grabs a flight to the first away game where they face the oppositions “A team” as GMs hope to sell tickets and drum up enthusiasm. By now, the prospects have about a month of the highest intensity hockey most of them have ever played and are in the throws of daily aches and pain. If, after all that, they can secure top minutes by being faster, stronger and more competitive, there’s a chance they won’t be sent to Grand Rapids, Europe, or to the junior ranks.
It’s meant to be difficult. By the Red and White game, the prospects are supposed to be walking bruises playing against some of the strongest athletes in the world of hockey. We forget how powerful these players are. I’ve seen “grind line” guys knock out 25+ pull ups with a reverse grip. (Nightmares from Bruins camp said that Chara would knock out 35+ but did it in a speedo).
The bike, the rack, the tire flips, Holmstrom used to do medicine ball workouts on a moving platform with his legs up in the air (didn’t allow them to touch). Limited recovery to simulate the game. Each year the fitness goals seem to go up (and each year it seems like a well known player somewhere in the league gets benched for putting on too much weight. Byfuglien and Matthews have both had the honor of training camp suspensions).
Watching it in person, you can see (and smell) the efforts differently. Worth a trip, even if just once. There’s an ambulance waiting at the back doors, and I remember the year Helm was carried out on a stretcher. Warm up accident, he was going full speed to test his edges and a prospect wasn’t aware when he jumped onto the ice. It sounded like a car crash and it echoed. Helm may have been going 25mph or better and neither player saw the other. They didn’t move after the collision.
It’s one of the fastest sports played without a vehicle (or horse) on a surface of ice with players on razor blades. The pucks (based on a study I read) have a similar impact to a .22 caliber bullet. Ankles are broken, feet are fractured, ligaments torn, concussions are suffered. Camp requires a strong constitution and constant vigilant alertness.
The games should be a good pace, and the spacing should spare some of the wear and tear. I’ll post any streaming links once they become available. In 10 days, players who want desperately to make the final leap of a life long dream will face the obstacles that all want the same. 20 players fighting for 1 to 3 spots. It should be a good watch. I hope you can tune in.
Check out my previous posts:
The Atlantic Division is a bit of a gauntlet for a rebuilding team.
Filip Hronek’s 3 year extension
Who’s your newbie?
Zadina and Kotkaniemi
Montreal got offer sheeted.
Would you experiment with the top line?
Filip Zadina is my breakout candidate this season.
Hakan Andersson pounded the table for Liam Dower Nilsson
Thoughts on preseason games
Prospect to watch - Alex Cotton
recapping the 2020 draft
Fedorov jersey retirement puck seen online
Svechnikov signs AHL deal, PTO with Jets
Nielsen is being bought out
Seider vs Nedeljkovic for Wings rookie of the year?
The 2019 draft 
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