Main Camp Update

• Let's start the blog posting with some conditioning news. Rockets Athletic Therapist Jeff Thorburn tells me this years group of players were possibly the most well conditioned he's seen in his five plus years at the helm. Thorburn says their were no weak links. When pressed to name a few players that stood out he mentioned Kevin Smith, Brett Bulmer, MacKenzie Johnston and Shane McColgan were just marginally better, but overall, the fitness level of the players 'as a whole' was solid.



• The Tuesday morning scrimmage featured veteran goaltenders Adam Brown and Jordon Cooke facing one another.



• Sixteen year-old defenceman Jesse Lees looks a little bigger than a year ago. I had to look at my roster sheet twice to identify him.



• Speaking of sixteen year-olds, Madison Bowey made some solid outlet passes and was seen numerous times rushing the puck.



• I was a little surprised to see Mitchell Callahan at main camp. Sure he is still eligible to return for his 20 year-old season, but the chances are good he will play pro this season in the Detroit Red Wings organization. I am sure getting in some additional ice time before heading off to camp was the reason he was skating at Prospera Place during the morning session.



• I had a first hand look at European forward Filip Vasko. Vasko showed some good skills and compete in the morning session. He likes to shoot the puck which is an encouraging sign.



• NHL's Shea Weber, Josh Gorges and Travis Moen were seen hanging out at the arena. Moen is in town visiting family, much to the delight of Rockets head scout Lorne Frey. My bet is Frey is enjoying his grandson's visit as much as he is training camp.