Eagles Open Training Camp
Sep 24, 2018
by Mcallaster Miller, Colorado Eagles / @ColoradoEagles / ColoradoEagles.com
Windsor, CO – The ice is in and hockey season nears as players make their way up to Northern Colorado for Training Camp. Players are scheduled to arrive throughout the day on Monday in order to get settled and ready for the start of camp beginning the following day. Some players though, have arrived early and participated in an informal ‘Captains Skate’ in hopes of getting their bearings before the start of camp.
The Eagles Head Coach Greg Cronin spoke today on his expectations for camp and what he’s looking for in each player. “I’m a big believer that every day is an opportunity to grow. Every day you can demonstrate good habits or bad habits.” Said Cronin on how the players should approach every exercise and drill at camp. “I think it’s a good situation for me ‘cause I don’t know them. I’m not carrying any baggage or any history with me when I watch guys play. It’s a fresh view, and I think that’s good for players and for me as a coach.”
This fresh view the players are getting at camp won’t be taken lightly. There are a handful of ECHL Eagles players hoping to make the jump with the organization to the AHL and stay in Colorado full time. “Tried to work on my overall game; get stronger, quicker, bigger.” J.C. Beaudin said on trying to do as much as possible with the short offseason. Coming off a Kelly Cup championship in the ECHL, Beaudin and Cannata had to approach Eagles Training Camp this season differently than they had in years past. “Most importantly it was rest at the beginning of this offseason. I came out to Denver early to get some one on one attention with the Avalanche staff to get on the right track for the summer. They do a really good job at getting guys whatever they need whether it’s nutrition or getting stronger that type of thing. Guys try to use those resources as best they can to try to make them the best players they can be.” Cannata said of his training regimen this offseason.
This years Eagles Training Camp will feature more players than ever as the Eagles welcome AHL veterans, first year pros, and ECHL hopefuls. “All the organizations that are strong have that transparency from the NHL club down to the east coast league level and as you [Eagles fans] know the NHL is littered with guys that started in the East Coast Hockey League that worked their way up, up the food chain to the NHL. If we’re able to have kids that are blessed with that type of character and determination and talent, we can help move them up the ladder and that’s great for us.” – Head Coach Greg Cronin
Training Camp caps off on September 28th and 29th with two home preseason games against the San Jose Barracuda. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at ColoradoEagles.com or by calling 970-686-SHOT (7468). Training Camp is open and free to the public this week. Fans are also able to purchase tickets at the Budweiser Events Center box office during Training Camp hours.
