OTHL NEWS AGENCY -- The OTHL have held there first conditioning and off-season workout camp in Helsinki Finland, Each team in the OTHL had the option to send over 3 players, to help them work on there skating or other aspects of the game. And some teams did send some players that
where surprises. Among the players taking part where Peter Forsberg, Colorado's top man.
"The team asked me if I wanted to go. And as I have had some injury problems in the past, and with hopes that this would help me further down the line. I decided to take up on the offer and go to Finland. Its a short travel from Sweden to Finland too, so it was no big deal. It was a good camp. Very nice group of players, and a group of very good instructors and trainers. I feel stronger and more fit then ever before." - Peter Forsberg said.
Other big names taking part of the camp where New Jerseys top defenders Scott Niedermayer and Scott Stevens. Also attending where Alexander Mogilny and Doug Weight both from Florida, Jeff O'Neill and Eric Brewer from Edmonton and also seen at the camp where goalies Dominik Hasek and Marty Turco.
And all agreed on that this was a very good thing, and all of them would like to return next season. "I think its a good thing. Even if you are a older player. There is always things to learn, especially when it comes to conditioning and off-season training. As older you get the more important the off-season gets. When you where 20, you could just eat pizza the entire summer and then step out on the ice and still be in tip-top shape. That doesn't cut it any longer. - Scott Stevens (40) said.
Others taking part of the camp where young defenders, Jim Vandermeer from Chicago and Shaone Morrison from Washington. Both very glad to be working out alongside a player like Scott Stevens for a couple of days. "He is the prototype of a reliable defender. He is the guy everyone want to emulate when it comes to play hard nosed defense. Its an honor to be working alongside him for these days. It has defiantly helped me already." - Chicago's Jim Vandermeer said. Vandermeer was joined by teammates Denis Gauthier and Brett McLean at the camp.
Full list of camp participants:
Atlanta Thrashers - Marc Savard, Dominik Hasek, Kimmo Timonen
Buffalo Sabres - Jochen Hecht, Jean-Pierre Dumont, Daniel Briere
Calgary Flames - Steve Reinprect, Matthew Lombardi, Jordan Leopold
Chicago Blackhawks - Jim Vandermeer, Denis Gauthier, Brett McLean
Colorado Avalanche - John-Michael Liles, Peter Forsberg
Columbus Blue Jackets - Nikolai Zherdev, Christian Backman, Milan Kraft
Dallas Stars - Valeri Bure, Shayne Corson, Marty Turco, Dean McAmmond
Detroit Red Wings - Manny Legace, Martin Rucinsky, Stephane Robidas
Edmonton Oilers - Jeff O'Neill, Eric Brewer, Ales Hemsky
Florida Panthers - Alexander Mogilny, Doug Weight, Michael Ryder
Los Angeles Kings - Tim Gleason, Sean Avery
Minnesota Wild - Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Alexander Daigle
New Jersey Devils - Scott Niedermayer, Scott Stevens, Josef Balej
Pittsburgh Penguins - Ryan Malone, Tomas Suvory, Brett Hull
San Jose Sharks - Wayne Primeau, Scott Hannan, Marek Malik
Toronto Maple Leafs - Karel Pilar, Bryan McCabe, Wes Walz
Vancouver Canucks - Jarkko Ruutu, Peter Schaefer, Antoine Vermette
Washington Capitals - Shawn Horcoff, Alexander Semin, Shaone Morrison