Training Camp Monday Review

Published on September 19, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Calgary, AB - Monday saw the 63 players in Flames main camp divided into three groups. The first group assembled consisted of players who won't participate in either of Tuesday's spilt squad games played in Calgary and Vancouver, while the other two squads went head to head in a scrimmage to prepare for tomorrow's tilts.

SPLIT SQUAD GAMES ON TUESDAY

With two games being played simultaneously on Tuesday night, the hockey operations staffs of the Heat and the Flames will have an eye on players at both the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary and at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

Flames Head Coach Brent Sutter will be with Heat bench boss Troy Ward in Vancouver.

"I'll work with the Abbotsford staff and we're going to take a lot of young players to Vancouver and allow them to play because I think it's important that we have a really good evaluation of them." Said Sutter of Tuesday's game at Rogers Arena.

The roster will include Joe Piskula, Derek Smith, Clay Wilson, Guilluame Desbiens, Quintin Lang, and Leland Irving who will all be making their pre-season debuts tomorrow in Vancouver.

IRVING TO START IN VANCOUVER

Last season's MVP for the Abbotsford Heat will be in the spotlight tomorrow in Vancouver as the Flames and Canucks will each host a split squad match, with Leland Irving starting in net at Rogers Arena for Calgary.

"It's just another chance to get better." Said Irving of the start. "I can only control my play on the ice; I'm just going to go and enjoy the challenge. It's tough playing at this level, and this early in the year the systems aren't always as structured, so you know there will be more chances, and it gives you a chance to see what you're capable of."

The game features a strong rivalry between teams at different levels as Irving points out. "It's a group of guys, at both the NHL and AHL sides of the organizations, which will be seeing each other all year. It's a good challenge, especially (the Heat) having had such a good rivalry with the Moose, I'm sure it will be the same with Chicago (Wolves) this year; I'm excited."

GUILLUAME DESBIENS HEADS INTO FAMILIAR TERRITORY

Guilluame Desbiens should be comfy in Vancouver on Tuesday; it certainly isn't his first bit of action at Rogers Arena, as he spent the last three seasons in the Canucks organization. "You always look forward to playing against your old team, and there are a lot of familiar faces there; it will be exciting." Said Desbiens. "It's always a big rivalry between the Flames and Canucks, so I think it will be fun to be a part of."

Speaking on the move to the Flames organization, Guilluame cited a good fit between his game and the Flames style of play. "I think they like grinding players like me. There's a lot of players and the depth chart is quite filled up, but I'm coming here trying to mix things up a little bit and hopefully impress them enough to stick around a little longer. We'll see what happens, but I think the way they play and the way I play, we blend perfectly together."

NEGRIN HAPPY HE'S HEALTHY

While John Negrin won't be playing in either game on Tuesday night, the Vancouver product is happy with his health heading into his third professional season. "The last two seasons I've dealt with the same knee injury, so coming into this season my main goal was to be healthy, and to get my game back, and play some games. I'm excited to start the season and see where it falls and just try and get healthy and play hard."

Negrin was injured last season and managed to play just 24 games of the Heat's 80-game schedule, but is happy with his recovery from surgery. "With my second surgery last year, the doctor did a really good job. It feels the best that it's felt in a long time. It's exciting to know that my knee does feel a lot better. I've got a lot of strength back from summer training, and I feel really healthy, so I'm excited for the season."

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