Dallas Stars Daily Links: First Day Of Camp Focuses On Defense, Details

by Erin Bolen on Sep 18, 2011 11:30 AM CDT in Dallas Stars Daily Links

The best part about the start of training camp is that it marks the start of a lightning-quick charge toward the regular season.

Take today, for instance. One day after the official start of practice, the Stars will take part in their first intersquad scrimmage, which will take place at approximately 4 p.m. Central time.

It's nice to have things like that in the immediate future, isn't it?

As for that first day of practice, new head coach Glen Gulutzan set a quick tempo for both groups as he put them through their paces on Prince Edward Island.

The focus was on defensive positioning and "details," which included intensive video study, according to Mark Stepneski of ESPN Dallas.

"Our goal is to get our spine together. We talked about it, even a long time ago in the press conference, about getting the backbone of our game together, the non-negotiable items," Gulutzan said." That’s going to be the first three days of practice here, all those non-negotiable items -- our D zone, our tracking and our forecheck. That’s going to form the foundation for us. That’s our goal going in Montreal is to have that foundation in place."

Mark also has a pair of other updates from the first day of camp, including a short video of Group A's practice and a notes package that covers the team's tribute to Karlis Skrastins and some season-ticket holders making the trek north.

After the jump, Brenden Morrow shows more personality in an interview than he has in recent memory, Ralph Strangis talks about why it's good to get away for a bit and Teppo Numminen joins the NHL's coaching ranks.

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Brenden Morrow does many things well, but deliver a compelling interview is not really one of them. Like many captains in the NHL, he is usually rather bland. And while most of this interview with Razor is more of the same, Razor surprised him with a tongue-twister at the end that brought out a side of Morrow rarely seen in public on DallasStars.com.
Razor's partner in broadcast crime, Ralph Strangis, is also warming up for the season with DallasStars.com. He's doing a regular blog throughout training camp, and in this one, he talks about why getting out of town can be very beneficial for team building. [DallasStars.com]
The Guardian also gives us a quick look at how things went on the first day. Nothing really notable other than an out-of-town perspective on the team. [The Guardian]
Another look, this one behind a paywall, at the increased role Jamie Benn will have to play this season as Dallas' No. 2 center. [DallasNews.com]
Also from DallasNews,com, this cute little blurb about the roommate politics between a veteran and youngster when sharing a hotel room at camp. [DallasNews.com]
Former Dallas Stars defensement Teppo Numminen has been added to the Buffalo Sabres coaching staff. He will work with the defensemen and watch games from the press box to pass tips down to Lindy Ruff. [Die By The Blade]
Full disclosure: I am a hockey card nerd and have quite an extensive (read: have spent way too much money on) collection of Morrow cards. And while I don't have the bankroll to buy these super-high-end, $350-per-pack cards, I would give my right arm to pull a redemption for an authentic 1978-79 mini Stanley Cup that once belonged to a Montreal Canadiens player. [Puck Daddy]

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I thought that was a great interview...

Especially the part about the younger players rooming with the vets, something you wouldn’t get if the camp were in Dallas.

I knew many of us are frustrated they’re so far away, but it seems those with the team think it’s a good way to kick off camp.

Defending Big D - Dallas Stars news & analysis
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by Brandon Worley on Sep 18, 2011 11:53 AM CDT reply actions

I like the idea of the camp too.

Not sure that in the current time frame it makes as much sense as the extended one in Colorado made.

Personally, it sounds to me like Newiey has made it clear for all the Stars personnel to really plug the benefits of it. Cause every Stars employee is really pushing it. Maybe some early politicking for whoever the new owner ends up being to keep it in the budget?

by 1paniolo on Sep 18, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Any idea of how many other teams

hold camps away from their home?

by 1paniolo on Sep 18, 2011 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with them 100%

Even if they don’t do PEI again next year, I think they should go back to Colorado, or somewhere else. There’s something to be said about the bonding experience with being out of town, and away from everyone else.

Not to necessarily compare hockey camp with church camp, but I worked at a church camp for several years while in College. We had different groups come in every two weeks. there were two specific groups that I can remember. One group came in from the Dallas area (we were in North East Arkansas) and another group came in from the local area. The first group was by themselves, and hung out with each other on a night to night basis. The other group from the area…. their parents would come and pick them up night after night, take them to dinner, take them to a movie, and then drop them off right at bed time. That second group was always detached, more focused on their family coming to get them than anything else. They never took camp seriously. But the ones from Texas, camp was their only focus. They got behind it 100%. They talked to each other, trusted each other, and relied on each other. I saw more breakthroughs in one summer from that group than I did in 5 years with the other. For me, it’s definitive proof what getting away from your home town can do for you, even if it’s just for one week.

I know it sucks not having them in town, especially for the die hards. But the benefit of being away, and only having the option of bonding with your teammates far outweighs that. We have them for 205 days a year. Let’s give them 7 to themselves, to get to know, trust, and rely on each other.

"I want to have Jamie Benn's babies. And you can quote me on that." - Brandon Worley

by Tsudbury on Sep 18, 2011 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions