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AJ09 · 04-06-2013, 06:35 PM

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Season 13 is coming closer and today, the New England Wolfpack hit the ice the first time in the franchise's history. This first practice in this year's training camp was open to public and many people from Boston and surroundings took the chance to watch the team skate for the first time. Everyone from the team was on the ice, except newly acquired former first Overall pick Kovalenko who suffers an injury and will start skating later in the season.
The building in Boston was packed and the fans clearly enjoyed the practice. "I think the boys look sharp and are hungry to start the season. Boston is hungry to see some hockey and we're glad that we're finally able to", so Stevie Holmes, 41, from Boston. He and his family bought season tickets right as they heard that the team's moving to Boston. "We kned that they were playing in Hartford what isn't too far away and we were following them closely, but it is a whole different story that they're here now. The people here really want to see them."

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Team manager Erik Chisling had the team skating for the first 30 minutes and then started to do some shooting on the goaltenders Ask and Hurowitz. The fans who for the most part were following the Hartford Hydras closely knew the franchise player Ace Faulkner and Waldo Cezar Jr. very well, so it was very interested for them to watch the new acquisitions like Nike Kickz and Adam Johansson do some shooting. This year's first round pick Johansson (7th Overall) who was the first draft pick for the Wolfpack in history, was very excited to hit the ice with the pack for the first time. "It's a whole different level. It was a big jump from the SEL in Sweden to the NWJHL here, but it is another big jump to the SHL. It's only the first day, but I can already feel the game is faster and harder. I like it, it's a big challenge for me and I really want to start the season now."

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Manager Chisling was content with his youngster. "We all know that he has a long way to go, but we were talking to him and I told him that it's up to him if he wants another year in the minors or start with the big club. Of course, we're a young team and would like to have him, but it was up to him. And we saw the fire in him to start here and do what is necessary to compete here. I think he looked good in his first practice with the pack."

The franchise also has big hopes in goaltender Edwin Ask who was acquired last year for the first overall pick in S13. Fans, management and players agreed that he looked very good in this practice and continued his trend from last season. "It's so hard to shoot at him", said a laughing Johansson. "But I beat him once or twice I think through the 5-hole. But he is such a good goaltender, I think the best I played against yet".

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At the end of the practice, Chisling played offense vs. defense and formed early line combinations. "These are not representative, it's so early and we just want to see where chemistry is and how the players play together". He had franchise Center Ace Faulkner on a line with Whisonant and Raymond. The 2nd line was centered by Mac Hooper, Johansson was on the left and Nike Kickz on the right wing. Kane-Richter-Stone was the third line in practice. The fourth line was randomly shuffled. "Maybe these are the lines we use for the first game, and maybe we have totally different ones. I just know that we have talented players here and just need to see how they do together. That takes some time, especially for young guys. And we have so many of them."

New England fan Stevie Holmes liked the lines. "We have so much talent here. I think the future looks bright, we traded for four first round picks in the next draft and already have so much talent around here. It's only going to get better. And maybe we can make the playoffs this year which would be awesome. But everyone is patient here. Like I said, we were waiting a long time here in Boston to see hockey again, now we will wait as well to see playoff hockey. But I'm sure we won't have too long." Left Wing Adam Johansson agrees. "This team is far too talented to be on the outside looking in. The managemtn is great, the locker room is outstanding and we feel a good vibe here. I think everyone will give everything on any given night to get into the playoffs. It will be a hard battle and there will be rough times but I'm sure at the end we're on the four best teams in the East. The fans here are awesome, it was a great atmosphere here. I can't wait to see it when we play games that matter. It will be mind-blowing."

Co-Manager Waldo Cezar told us that the training camp will continue tomorrow at the same time and will be open to the public again. It is very likely that there are practices where the team is isolated from the public, but we have no exact dates yet.

The New England Wolfpack Season Ticket selling continues. Visit theshl.b1.jcink.com/index.php?act=idx to learn more!

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Dion · 04-08-2013, 01:19 AM

Great Work, AJ!

Certainly cannot wait to cheer you guys on, as I have an "injury" Wink

for 39 games.

Ask · 04-08-2013, 01:07 PM

Nice one

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