Training Camp Week #1
Well, the first and usually most nervwracking week of training camp is behind us in San Jose. The team met this weekend on Friday to have our physicals done in Pleasanton, then off to Silver Creek training facility for two sessions on Saturday and one early Sunday morning. My first impressions are that we are going to be bigger and a little more athletic this year, and that our offense is going to have a different flavor to it. With so many new faces, many Stealth fans may wonder who everyone is, but we looked solid in our first weekend together. Many of the new faces showed particulary well. Duch and Turner look to be great additions to our front door as both had fabulous weekends. Both kids can score and seem to be willing to go the the right places to score. I was excited to see both of them in action finally. Again, on a bright note both our second year offensive guys looked great. Both Tom Johnson and Frankie Res came in better than last year. They both will be counted on with the departure of some of our veterans in the offseason. So far, so good. On the defensive end, we have many new faces, most of which are American. Thus the learning curve will take some time, but as the old saying goes..."you can't teach size"!!! The two big bodies of Lutz and Walton seem to be enjoying thier transition to the indoor game. Hartzell also played well as did the others. The most important thing was that they all enjoyed themselves and they all want to get better at the game. This will be key for our success. As for the vets, what can you say. Everyone was in shape and had a renewed excitement to get things going. Z played awsome, as he usually does and the defenders (Sorenson, Hodgson and new face Grimes) all played with intensity. They're will be no shortage of leadership on this team, I can already tell that. As for the old faces...We will miss them all and it was odd not having Dawson, Wiles, Panarelli, Fairlie, Morris, Heffner, Rosy and of course Coz there but I wish them all luck in their new surroundings...they will be missed. It was also our first session with our new Coaching staff with the exemption of Bobby Allan and Art Webster. As we move on we will learn more about the direction of the team and the coaching styles of Jeff Dowling and Chris Hall, but both were great this weekend as we accomplished alot in a short amount of time. One thing to keep your eyes on if you are a Stealth fan is the goaltending race. All three guys seem to be poised to take over as the number one guy. This should be great for our team!! We meet again after Thanksgiving, and I will keep you abrest to any issues that arise between now and then. I hope that we can get the Hopkins kids signed in the meantime, as they will add tons to our lineup. Unitl then, Colin #7
zmystere said November 24, 2008
Yeah a lot of new faces. I'm excited about the goalie contest. Colin how was Martin? I was busy watching Lutz and Walton the most?
Enjoy the holiday and am looking forward to the next practice. BTW I found a venue to watch away games so this season is getting better and better
Cuts will be hard, but as you said that is a good thing. Nick O'Hara is in our plans, we just need to wait until he is healthy. Having spoke with him, he says things are going well and he is excited about maybe getting in this year. (Late February/early March best case scenerio)
Martin was not there this weekend. I thnk he was away, but will be there in two weekend when we meet again.
That is great news about finding a venue!! Enjoy the Holiday.
Colin #7
stealthfan said November 24, 2008
Let me know how I can help.
Colin #7