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Blaze training camp report

January 7, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL) News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - The long-awaited day has arrived for football fans across the state of Utah when the Blaze met at the Spence Eccles Field House on the campus of University of Utah on Friday morning for the first official practice.

On Thursday, the players arrived and were given their physicals. The coaches issued the playbooks and addressed the team during meetings before ending the day around 5 p.m. But, it was Friday when the team hit the field for two sessions of practice. The nets were hung and inflatable walls were up as the players were anxious to get things started.

"You get sick of sitting around and waiting," said veteran OL/DL HANS OLSEN. "It's like when you get a new car - you are excited because it looks great, but you want to lift the hood and see what you really have."

COACH WHITE

Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE and the coaching staff welcomed 33 players for the first official day of training camp.

"This is where it all begins," White said of the start of his 14th AFL training camp. "We are making history here. For the players that make this team, it will be an honor, not a privilege, to be members of Utah's first professional football team. I expect our men to step up and make this community proud."

LOOKING SHARP UNDER CENTER

Veteran QB JOE GERMAINE, former Heisman Trophy candidate JASON GESSER and rookie TALI ENA each split reps for Coach White.

"Joe has the advantage of being familiar with our system and has looked pretty sharp," White said. "Jason and Tali have shown signs of picking things up quickly. I have seen an improvement from the two rookies since our mini-camp in December."

BIG BOYS GETTING READY

Offensive/defensive line coach FLINT FLEMING is pleased with having the likes of veteran linemen HANS OLSEN, BRYAN HENDERSON, SCOTT POSPISIL, JASON ANDERSEN and RONNIE WASHBURN in camp. Rookies DOUG KAUFUSI, TEVITA OFAHENGAUE, PAT HUGHES, LEWIS POWELL and GARRETT SMITH will look to get attention from the staff and land a spot on the roster.

Defensive coordinator LEE LESLIE and offensive coordinator HUNKIE COOPER said that Monday will be when the action heats up, because it will be the first day that the team will put on the pads.

OWNERSHIP AT THE FIRST PRACTICE

ROBERT GARFF was on hand during the second session on Friday to watch the Blaze squad practice and he liked what he saw.

"It is an exciting time for our family and the entire organization," Garff said. "With all the preparation and planning, it is great to actually see players on the field and performing. I am proud to be a part of bringing this exciting sport to Utah for the most passionate sports fans in the country."

LOOKING AHEAD TO DAY 2

The coaching staff will test the players for bench press, 40-yard time and vertical leap before Saturday's practice. The team will only have one session this Saturday. Practice at the Spence Eccles Field House will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until noon.

GET'EM WHILE THEY ARE HOT!

Single-game tickets for all eight home games will go on sale this Saturday, January 7 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at www.utahblaze.com, the Delta Center box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (801) 325-SEAT or at all Ticketmaster outlets.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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