Four days in Penticton gave the Vancouver Canucks a chance to put their new systems into action, build some familiarity with the coaching staff, and set the tone for the season ahead.
With the regular season just over a week away, the group left camp with plenty to build on and a better understanding of how they want to play.
Training camp finished up Sunday afternoon, and General Manager Ryan Johnson said it was important to take the time to teach over the last four days to help set the foundation for the season.
“It's been quick, but a lot of information in a short amount of time. But it's important that we spend the time, even Wednesday night, just making it clear how we want to operate, what we're going to be focusing on, and obviously some intense skates,” Johnson said. “Really happy with the pace, the energy level, the execution.”
The feedback from the players has been positive from what they learned at camp, and how the coaching staff will build on that in the coming weeks. Johnson says the coaching staff was tweaking as camp went along and are always trying to improve their process.
In four days of practice, plus a game yesterday, it’s not an easy schedule, and not one that can be eased into.
“It still is an opportunity for guys to separate themselves, and that's a part of preseason, always has been. It's never the perfect travel, it's never the perfect setup, and it's the guys that can put that aside and just find a way to stand out, and there were some that that did that,” Johnson said.
After months of planning and preparing, Head Coach Manny Malhotra was happy with the progress made through camp.
“We executed the days the way we wanted to. The guys were very adaptable; they picked up on all the concepts really quickly, and just even that game group yesterday - skating, traveling, playing, traveling, and skating again today - they did an outstanding job of just not feeding into any excuse, and they just got the work done today,” Malhotra said.
The players decided in the summer that they would come back to Vancouver a few weeks before camp to skate together and prepare, and it was obvious the team had put the work in. A shorter preseason is a change for the veterans on the team, but the Canucks bench boss said they came to camp with a sense of urgency.
“There was no delay out there when I asked them to push and step on the gas, they did so, and they were able to, and they responded well to the way practice is supposed to look,” Malhotra said.
Penticton hosted the Canucks training camp for the third straight year, Malhotra said the city and the South Okanagan Events Centre were hospitable, allowing the team to get practices in without a hitch.
“It's been amazing. The community really embraces us. The facility has been outstanding. Just the fact that we have two sheets, they've been extremely accommodating. We can't thank OHA enough for helping us out. The one day when the glass broke, and they switched their ice time for us, and they got off their practice, we're really grateful for them for doing that for us,” Malhotra said. “This city as a whole is incredible. We had some great dinners out, you meet some great fans in the community, so we really enjoy coming to Penticton.”
Defenceman Tom Willander felt more equipped coming into his second training camp with a full year of pro hockey under his belt, saying the group accomplished a lot during camp.
“I think intensity's been great. I think just a good four days to kind of get it going, get a feel for everything, touching the systems a bit, get into that. So, I think it's been very productive,” Willander said.
With just over a week before the regular season begins, he says they’re ready to get the season underway and a lot of belief in what the group can accomplish.
“I think there's a lot of energy in this group, and I think we have the ability to do something good here,” he said.
Management and the coaching staff will be making decisions on the roster this week as they have three preseason games left and Abbotsford Canucks training camp starting midweek.
The Canucks take on the Calgary Flames in Calgary on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:00 p.m. PT and face the Edmonton Oilers at home on Thursday, September 24th at 6:00 p.m. PT. For tickets to Thursdays game, visit here.
