Panthers Look Fierce On Day One Of Training Camp

This article was on the Panthers' website, explaining what the guys did today.

Friday, 09.16.2011 / 2:11 PM        

Florida Panthers

by Stephanie Hew, University of Miami

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – The Florida Panthers 57-man training camp began Friday, Sept. 16 at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs, Fla. with medical testing and a variety of media sessions.

Panthers had a busy day running from room to room on a tight schedule to complete their medical exam, still and video media head shots, marketing shots, and Fox Sports Florida video clips.

After their medical players cracked a smile for their media headshot, posed in various outfits in multiple stances for game presentation clips and “saw red” during their marketing shoot.

Finally, dressed in pads, jersey, helmet, gloves and with their stick in-hand, players were directed to look “fierce” as they lifted their heads in slow motion to glare at the camera and say, “You’re watching Panthers Hockey on Fox Sports Florida.”

Between sessions, veteran Stephen Weiss took some time out to talk about the day.

“I’m used to them now, I’ve been to a few training camps so I enjoy them now,” said Weiss. “It’s nice to come and see all the doctors that you haven’t seen all summer and all the guys and bang it out.”

Rookie Erik Gudbranson held his own among the chaos of today.

“Yeah, it’s good, it’s kind of fun,” said Gudbranson. “It’s fun to see the guys, they all get in and they all say different things. If you go in it stressed, you’re going to look stressed on camera. I think most of the players just have fun with it.”

After finishing his last session, veteran Jack Skille agreed with Gudbranson’s assessment of the day and having fun with it.

“I don’t find it stressful one bit,” said Skille. “I see it as a new start, a new year, I don’t think this day could come any sooner.”

Training camp hits the ice tomorrow, Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs, Fla.

2011 TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
Sept. 17 – Practice 9 a.m. – Noon.
Sept. 18 – Practice 9 a.m. – Noon.
Sept. 19 – Preseason Game # 1 vs. Nashville 3 p.m.; Preseason Game # 2 vs. Nashville 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 – 22 – Daily Practices 9 a.m. – Noon.
Sept 23 – Preseason Game #3 @ Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Sept 24 – Preseason Game #4 vs. Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Sept 25 – Day Off
Sept 26 – Practice 9 a.m. – Noon.
Sept 27 – Preseason Game #5 vs. Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Sept 28 – Practice 9 a.m. – Noon.
Sept 29 – Preseason Game #6 @ Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Sept 30 – Oct 1 – Practice 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.