Carolina Hurricanes – Preparing for Training Camp
The old days when players had summer jobs and spent training camp getting in shape for the upcoming season are long gone. In the modern NHL, players are expected to be in game shape when training camp opens. Training camp is less about conditioning and more about systems and getting the hands and timing back.
Sports Carolina’s Alec Hardy talked with several Hurricanes players about their summer workouts and training camp preparations:
Tim Brent
It’s a long season in hockey and depending on how many games you played it takes a toll on your body. First of all, you let yourself heal up and then it’s trying to ramp your summer workouts up so that you are peaking around training camp. You slowly work up and up and up until you are ready to go.
Zac Dalpe
I played close to 70 games in 2 years at college. Last year (being my first pro year) I played close to 100 games (including exhibition) so the weight did get off a little bit. I did get a little bit lighter. I feel like I had a good summer and I put the weight back on. Would I like to be a little heavier? Yeah. As a young guy, I just want to get stronger and faster.
Tim Gleason
My training program is top secret so I can’t tell you about that (he flashes a quick smile). Actually, I really worked on body weight exercises. Not so much on heavy weights any more. A lot of plyometrics and the TRX bands. The body’s healed up. We have had 5 or 6 months it feels like to get going and to be ready mentally and physically. It’s an exciting time. You want to come out of the gates flying.
Jamie McBain:
(On discussing recovery from off-season shoulder surgery) I was in a sling for about 4 weeks and working rehab on it ever since I’ve been able to. The third day after surgery I was starting rehab. It’s a long process – it’s an injury that takes time to heal. It feels great – stronger than ever. (When asked if it was related to the injury last March that kept him out of the lineup for a couple of weeks) Yes – that’s where it all took place. I was able to rehab it just enough to play at the end of last season with the full intention of having surgery as soon as the season was over.
Brandon Sutter
There is always a rest period (after the end of the season) for 3 of 4 weeks where you take it easy. You might go to the gym a couple of times. Once you get past the first month, you are back at the gym every day working out, trying to get stronger and get ready for the season.
Tomas Kaberle (whose name, according to the Canes, is pronounced “TAW-mas KA-buhr-luh”)
Obviously it was a long season, but it’s what everyone wants to do (referring to winning the Cup). I took a month off. You need to heal some bruises and bumps. This training camp’s going to be good for me to get on the schedule and I’m looking forward to a new start.
