MORNING SKATE NOTES
- Utah has a mix of veterans and prospects going to Colorado for the first preseason game
- Head coach André Tourigny discussed the process of picking which players are used for which games.
- Tourigny shared an update on Tij Iginla’s availability
Update on Iginla
Following morning skate, Tourigny shared an update on Tij Iginla’s status after he had a lingering injury heading into training camp:
“(Iginla) is not fit to play today. He’s not playing today because he should be fit to play next game, he should be clear next game. He’s good for contact, like you saw in practice yesterday, like you will see today. But we’re waiting for (Sept. 22).”
Deciding Who Goes
With a short training camp, the Mammoth will use their four preseason games to continue evaluations. In addition to watching young players looking to make the roster, these games are an opportunity to try different line combinations, d-pairings, and special teams units. Tourigny explained more following skate.
“See different things, and special teams as well,” head coach André Tourigny said. “I want to have some pairings of some units together. That factors in. We try to split our veterans into three groups for the first three games and then the fourth game will be closer to a full squad. That’s a little bit the way (we decided on teams). It goes with the combos we want to see, opportunities we want to give to some players, and special teams combinations.”
First Game of the Year
Center Caleb Desnoyers will play his first NHL preseason game tonight. After a busy three days going through Utah’s systems and gearing up for the game, he and his teammates are ready.
“Just be myself,” Desnoyers said of his goals for today. “It’s going to be my first preseason game. Didn’t have the chance last year, so just really looking forward to it, to showcase what I can do.”
For returning and veteran players, these preseason contests can help them get back into their rhythm, especially since it’ll be their first time facing an opposing team since last year.
“I think just trying to get back into your groove,” DeSimone said on preseason games. “Your routes, your touches, getting hit, giving hits, getting into it. Getting the legs into it. I think just everything. Timing, trying to get everything back. Might not happen in the first shift, but hopefully as you string them together, you find your feet, and your brain, and your touches, and everything kind of just starts to roll from there.”
It took a lot of hard work to get ready for these preseason games. Over the last three days, Utah reviewed their systems and executed the details that will make the Mammoth successful this season.
“I think we did a really good job of being on top of everything and being really detailed throughout those three days,” Nick DeSimone said on the start of training camp. “Getting what (Tourigny) wanted out of those three days. Now moving forward into games.”
Mentoring the New Guys
Something the Mammoth have focused on is maintaining a strong culture. That includes veteran players lending their expertise and support to the rookies and prospects. Desnoyers has experienced that support throughout the first few days of training camp.
“We have a great group of players here, a great group of veterans,” Desnoyers shared. “Everyone’s been really good just with the environment in the room. Some players like (MacKenzie Weegar), (Barrett Hayton), (Dylan Guenther), even though he’s young. Everyone basically are really good people here, so it helps to feel more comfortable.”
