Leaf Prospects Look To Impress
Posted July 10, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s still a month or so from the time the big boys will come back from summer vacations, but some Toronto Maple Leafs youngsters were on the ice Tuesday, all under the watchful eye of head coach Paul Maurice, some Blue and White brass, and a special guest. Former Olympic figure skater Barbara Underhill was also out on the slick stuff to work out with the prospects and see just how well everybody could skate.
“There’s so many things that you can teach them but a lot of it is just getting that perfect balance point so you can get the ultimate power out of your stride,” Underhill said.
Bringing in a figure skater to a hockey camp may seem strange to some, but Maurice suggested it’s all part of the process.
“You can see an 18-year-old who can’t fully extend or who’s not strong enough to have the same stride with both legs so we take a look at that,” he said. “It’s really a valuable exercise for us to asses where their skating is at.”
According to Underhill some of the newcomers still need a lot of work, but at least one person — up and coming netminder Justin Pogge — is way ahead of the game.
“I like to be the best skater on the ice,” Pogge said. “I have big pads on so I’ve got to work a little harder.”
As for Maurice, he knows most of the players on the ice Tuesday aren’t ready for the big time, but does enjoy coaching some younger talent, if only for a day or two.
“While they’re all still staring at you, this is the one time you can go out as a coach and everybody’s listening to you,” he joked.
