Dallas, Texas. Home of the Texas Renegades. the normally quiet arena during the off season is filled with the sounds of pucks off the boards and goal post. The players yelling back and forth while the coaches blow their whistles and yell out drills. It’s training camp in Texas as the Texas Renegades begin preparations to put last season behind them, way behind them.
“ It’s a new season, we get to start things fresh and we are looking forward to it. All off season we’ve been hearing about how we didn’t make the playoffs, how we are not playoff caliber team, how we are still in rebuild mode. It’s enough to make you turn the radio off in the car. “ Said Logan Jensen. “ We feel that we we are ready to push and not just be a playoff team, but be put in with the contenders.”
Day 1 was physicals day, a day most players dislike. The platers went by, one by one getting weighed before hitting the gym and running through all the tests. The day in general went smoothly as it normally does. “ It’s a little different this season, Beau Bent has retired so we will definitely miss him, even tho there is a chance he joins the Renegades broadcast crew. There are some new faces here but i’m sure they’ll be find their way quick, the guys will make them fell at home.” replied Colton Hagan.
New comer Liam O'Callaghan just arrived from Seattle yesterday and is already training hard with his new teammates.Which of Texas Defensman he’ll be paired up with is still unknown but he did spend most of the day training with Harvey Danger.
“ New day, New season, new team, lol. I just want to hit the ice and get started. The best way to start fitting in is to play the game with your teammates. My time in Seattle was great. I wish we could have had a few more playoff runs and maybe a cup. However, i could not have asked for a better team to be traded to. I have some friends on their team so the transition should be quick.” Said O’Callaghan.
Day2 was all about puck possession and transition from defense to offence. The Dude looked to not miss a step from last season, moving the puck at top speed with precision passing. O’Callaghan Also looked pretty good with his skating and passing. A few players seemed to be a step or two behind but should be fine come the start of pre season.
“ Coming off of th off season it’s normal to be a little slow off the start. It is only day 1 of on ice training so we just want the guys to get the feel back. Once they get in that zone i’m sure it’ll be fine. it’s just a matter of making sure they get there and not get comfortable with easy drills. Tomorrow we will push the pace and we’ll see who is ready for the season.” Said GM Dankoa.
New to management this season is Crutchfield. Replacing the recently departed JP from management. Crutchfield has some serious experience in management and was brought in quickly once he became available.
“ JP felt it was time to move on. He was so great here to. The guys loved him and he was a great help to me but he felt he lost the drive and passion to be a part of management and is taking a break from it. Hopefully he gets it back because he is so important to this league, he has so much to give.” rep[ied Dankoa when asked about JP.
Day 3 was all about skating drills. every player has been pushed pretty hard. Beginning training with sprints before getting to suicides. It was all about pace today and no one was exempt. Even goalie Walter Hobbs was skating at full speed up and down the ice in full gear.
“ That was not what i’m used to , lol. I’ve been working on my skating this off season, seems like it may payoff with these drills.” said Hobbs. “ This season the coaching staff are really pushing us, it can only help us in the long run.”
Day 4 had the everyone separated into groups by their position. Centers were at centre ice working on face offs, wingers and defense were running drills for puck handling and man to man coverage. The goalies were working on goalie drills.
“ it was a great day of training camp, Lots done today. We feel like the team is coming together. Obviously we are pushing hard to get better and it’s going to take some time to reach the level we want but we are going to get there.” Said Coach Crutch.
“ Everyday is a workout, we are working hard to get ready for the season.We know we can contend, we just need to be ready to step up and do it from game 1 of the season. “ replied Owen. “ We have a great team, our youngsters are top quality and getting better. We feel like this is the beginning of our time.”
Day 5 is the last day of training camp before some friendly games with the University of Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Baptist University. After that it’s preparation for SHL Pre season. Today was mostly media day. As you would expect, nothing out of the ordinary as far as quotes go.
Day 6 - Game Day #1- University of Texas Longhorns.
The arena at the University of Texas was packed, loud and electric. It’s not everyday that your Local professional hockey team plays a tune up against your University team To be honest, The University should have no chance.
The Game started One sided as the Renegades wasted no time dominating puck possession in the offensive zone. At 16:32, The Dude fired a canon of a shot that was saved by the Longhorns goalie before Logan Jensen put it into a wide open net. 1-0 Renegades.
Of the following face off the Renegades went back to work. Quick passing found the Longhorns a little disoriented, the puck found it’s way onto Essellemm’s stick for a one timer, 2-0 Renegades.
After another Renegade goal scored by Owens, the rest of the period was pretty much all Renegades. 3-0 Renegades after 1.
The second saw a little more Longhorns action as Walter Hobbs had to make a few solid reaction saves but nothing to threatening. The Renegades however found the twine twice more, goals by Dude and Karlsson made it 5-0 Renegades.
The third was basically the Noah Kohn show. Kohn struck one on the power play, once shorthanded, and completed the hat trick at 5:52 of the third on a pretty breakaway goal. Renegades win 8-0.
Day 7 - Game Day #2 - Dallas Baptist University
Much like the previous Game, the Renegades dominated all but 7 minutes of the game. the only 7 minutes Walter Hobbs had to be sharp. Otherwise it was all Renegades to the tune of 9-0. Goals by Essellemm, Danger(2), Kohn, Owens, Horvat, Durden, karlesson and O’Callaghan.
"Obviously these are tune up games, They are meant to help get into the flow of the game." replied Durden
From here on out it’s preparation for the SHL preseason. Then on to the real thing as the SHL begins it’s regular season in about a week.
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