Eagles head coach Greg Cronin spoke Monday 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 because 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 Eagles players that played in the ECHL last year and are hoping to make the jump with the organization to the American Hockey League level and stay in Colorado full time.
"Tried to work on my overall game; get stronger, quicker, bigger," said J.C. Beaudin on his training during a short offseason.
Coming off a Kelly Cup championship in the ECHL, Beaudin and goaltender Joe Cannata had to approach this season's Eagles training camp differently than they had in years past.
"Most importantly, it was to rest at the beginning of the offseason," said Cannata. "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."
This year's training camp will feature more players than ever, as the Eagles welcome AHL veterans, first-year pros and ECHL hopefuls for the Utah Grizzlies (the Avalanche and Eagles' affiliate).
"All the organizations that are strong have that transparency from the NHL club down to the East Coast League level. As Eagles fans] know, the NHL is littered with guys that started in the East Coast Hockey League that worked their way up the food chain to the NHL," Cronin said. "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."
Training camp caps off on Sept. 28-29 with two home preseason games against the San Jose Barracuda. Tickets are available 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 at the Budweiser Events Center. Fans are also able to purchase tickets at the arena box office during training camp hours.
