New Coach Works Players Hard On First Day Of Training Camp
Posted September 15, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It didn’t take veteran Darcy Tucker long to figure out that things would be different with Paul Maurice at the helm of hockey’s storied Leafs.
Maurice, who took over from Pat Quinn, set the tone early as training camp got underway Friday. Gone are the days of the lethargic scrimmages that marked many of Quinn’s training camps.
“A lot of us have been in the same mind frame over the last few years with the first few days of camp being scrimmages,” said Tucker. “It’s not that mindset where you get down to work.
“This is a totally different atmosphere. I think that guys are on edge a little bit, on their toes, and that’s a good thing sometimes.”
Maurice put veterans and hopefuls alike through various attacking drills, leaving them struggling to catch their breath.
“From what I can see, we’re going to play an up-tempo game,” said new Leaf blueliner Hal Gill.
“Everyone is going to be up the ice as fast as we can and coming back as hard as we can. That’s the mentality we’re going to have. It’s an exciting time.”
Tucker admits that last season’s disappointing end will serve as incentive for the players.
“There was a commitment from the time when we didn’t make the playoffs last year to this point in time,” he explained. “What happened last year was unacceptable and we’re going to move forward to try to make that never happen again.”
Captain Mats Sundin believes that despite not making the playoffs, Toronto’s late season charge exhibited the team’s character.
“Of course it was disappointing. At the same time I thought it was pretty encouraging the way we ended the season. I think we did have as many or almost as many points as Edmonton did when they started their playoff run and they went to the final.”
“I think we need to make sure that we’re as fast and as good and high intense as we can be when the season starts.”
On a somewhat sour note, Defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo had to leave the ice early Friday.
“He felt ill,” said Maurice.
Colaiacovo suffered a severe concussion last January and didn’t return to the ice for the remainder of the season.
“We don’t know if this is related to his concussion,” said Maurice. “There were a lot of guys not feeling well after those practices.”
Colaiacovo will be checked out by team doctors.
“He’ll be back on the ice when he gets the green light, which might very well by (Saturday),” added Maurice.
