Training Camp

[JMB 0]

So I'm a training camp newbie as I have never been, I will be there Sunday and Monday. I have no idea what happens, where to go, what times to show up, etc. Is there a place to get more info or anyone thats been there to get some insight on what to do and what not to miss? What days they sign autographs if they even do that?

HELP

[WizardOfOz30 1,886]

This will be my first year as well. From what I've heard there are designated areas for people to stand and wait for the guys to come out and sign autographs. I some people just hang outside waiting for that and I don't know if there's a schedule of who comes out and signs or when but you just have to hope you're in the right place at the right time if you want someone specific.

I'm sure others will be able to give you more details.

[Dimaline312000 51]

Go to www.centreice.org and find the DRW Training Camp Tab and click on it and it will have a schedule of what times things are happening at the arena. If you want to get autogrpahs than yes you will wait outside for the players to come to the rink and if you're lucky you can get a few of them to sign autographs. Otherwise the action happens in the arena. It has two rinks and an upstairs area for you to sit and watch if you don't like the cold of the rinks. I would advise getting there early and stake your seat as people like to get in a see any action they can.

[96warrior 11]

Once you get in the arena, pay close attention to the board on the easel that is usually located near the refreshment area. It will have the up-to-date schedule of what is happening and in which of the two rinks.

[JMB 0]

Once you get in the arena, pay close attention to the board on the easel that is usually located near the refreshment area. It will have the up-to-date schedule of what is happening and in which of the two rinks.

Do they sign stuff?

Thanks

[Motown4013 350]

Do they sign stuff?

Thanks

Absolutely! most of the guys are very good at signing things. Some guys will take a few minutes in the AM before their day starts and sign a couple of things before there are 500 people outside. They arrive at different times and with different people because the games start at different times.

Mostly the guys arrive at the arena, skate, workout, play, go back on the bikes ( you can see them go in and out of the gym) and then leave for the day. 3-4 guys will come out at the same time and sign and then you wait until the next bunch are ready.

Prospects and newbies ALWAYS come out and sign and will do the entire crowd. The big guys ( Lids, Z, Pavs) may sign Saturday and not Sunday or visa versa, but almost never more than 1 time a day and almost never both days but they divide "the big boys up, so Lids, Z and Jimmy may sign the saturday and then Mule, Pasha and Krons will sign the Sunday.

In my experience, Flip, Hudler and Kronwall are great signers....they will generally do the entire group and will personalize stuff. Other guys...it depends on the day. The 1st year I went, Z signed 3 things for me...the next year, he signed one and only one. Most will let you take pics with them. also, make sure you have your sharpie ready and that your jersey (or whatever) is undersomething solid and ready for an auto because if you arent ready, they may keep walking! Some with make conversation with you and others just sign and keep walking. When Downey was with the team, he was awesome- telling stories and was very funny. Other guys clearly dont want to be there!!

Anyway, hope that helps! Enjoy camp- its a lot of fun

[JMB 0]

Thanks for the info. I actually will be there on Monday. I hope their not tired of people by then

Absolutely! most of the guys are very good at signing things. Some guys will take a few minutes in the AM before their day starts and sign a couple of things before there are 500 people outside. They arrive at different times and with different people because the games start at different times.

Mostly the guys arrive at the arena, skate, workout, play, go back on the bikes ( you can see them go in and out of the gym) and then leave for the day. 3-4 guys will come out at the same time and sign and then you wait until the next bunch are ready.

Prospects and newbies ALWAYS come out and sign and will do the entire crowd. The big guys ( Lids, Z, Pavs) may sign Saturday and not Sunday or visa versa, but almost never more than 1 time a day and almost never both days but they divide "the big boys up, so Lids, Z and Jimmy may sign the saturday and then Mule, Pasha and Krons will sign the Sunday.

In my experience, Flip, Hudler and Kronwall are great signers....they will generally do the entire group and will personalize stuff. Other guys...it depends on the day. The 1st year I went, Z signed 3 things for me...the next year, he signed one and only one. Most will let you take pics with them. also, make sure you have your sharpie ready and that your jersey (or whatever) is undersomething solid and ready for an auto because if you arent ready, they may keep walking! Some with make conversation with you and others just sign and keep walking. When Downey was with the team, he was awesome- telling stories and was very funny. Other guys clearly dont want to be there!!

Anyway, hope that helps! Enjoy camp- its a lot of fun

[Bramsy 16]

update..........

[Dimaline312000 51]

In the past I've got autogrpahs from Kyle Quincey, Chris Osgood, Pavel Datsyuk and Steve Yzerman. I got Kyle, Pavs and SteveY to sign a hat of mine that is up on my top shelf of my collectors room in a Ziploc Bag. As for Ozzie I got his autograph on my Dominik Hasek Jersey, lol becasue my cousin was wearing my Osgood jersey and was to shy to go up to him. 18 More Days Until the NHL Prospect Tournament!!

[Kira 451]

Okay, as a veteran of training camp (every year since '05), here's a bit of what happens.

I usually go up the day before camp opens and wander over to the arena to see who is around. I have talked to Ozzie, Raffi, Andreas Lilja and Paul MacLean over the years...even ended up giving Johan Franzen directions to one of the local restaurants. You never know who will be around. There are a lot less people around the day before, and the guys are a lot more relaxed.

Practices start at 9AM. There are usually three teams; Lindsay, Delveccio and Howe. They have a listing of who is on what team. The day starts out on one of the rinks with one of the teams having skating drills, which last about 45 minutes. About 11AM, things switch over to the other rink and there is a scrimmage game between the two squads who didn't do morning drills. Those who did do the drills are pretty much done when the drills are over.

The game is 2 30-minute periods, with one minute penalties. Continuous clock. Losing team has to do drills after the game. That's when everyone goes out and waits for whoever is coming out to sign and pose for pics. Most of the guys will pretty much go down the line, but if they think you're just getting their autographs to sell on ebay or whatever, they'll walk away. They know who's sincere, and who's selling. Mike Babcock is one who really can sense them. If he even thinks you're out for selling the stuff, he'll avoid you like the plague.

The younger guys will really open up to you, and they're really nice. I have found out over the years that if you call them simply by their last names, it seems kinda rude. If you talk to them and say hi, they seem to like it when you call them by their first names. Don't be rude, don't be pushy. Be patient and kind and they will come to you eventually. Ask politely if you can have a picture taken with them, and you usually aren't disappointed.

The only one I haven't met (besides the new guys, of course) is Todd Bertuzzi. I'm hoping to remedy that this year.

For those of you who will be there, look for a dog with service animal tags on him. Ten to one it will be my Loki, and I'll be close by. I would love to meet any of my fellow LGW posters!

[WingedHorse 7]

I have been going since 2000 and agree with everything that Kira said. Mabels is the place to go for a lunch or early afternoon meal if you are looking for some of the guys. Many Wings fans also have breakfast at Mabels before going to watch camp - tables are pushed together and it is like one big family meal - very fun!

When you are waiting for an autograph - be polite. Always say please and thank you, and the guys will be good about signing things. We took the son of a former friend one year and he was able to get the signatures of Babcock, Hudler, Chelios, Murzak, Draper, Cleary, Zetterbery, Hasek, and several others. Last year we took a friend's husband (Kira - you met Girard!) and he was able to get the autographs of quite a few of the guys. Girard had so much fun that he is joining us again this year! LOL! There are those who are out to scam the players for autographs - the players know who these people are.

My goal is to have Zetterberg sign a photo of our new yellow Lab puppy - papered name is Kingsseeds Henrik Z, aka, "Hank." We are hoping that Kira can get a photo of Hank puppy signed by the real Hank! My other goal is to have Abdelkader sign a photo that my husband took last year or my Spartan Hat (our horse is MSU Autocracy+++/). Like Kira, I too, would like to have a signature from Bertuzzi.

Training Camp is the BEST! We leave for a National horse show the weekend after training camp, but we will still get 2 days of training camp in as we NEVER miss it!

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

[Kira 451]

I ended up giving Johan directions to Mabel's. We've even run into players in the grocery store. A couple years ago we missed a bunch of the younger guys who had gone to Subway, and my friend Brit ran into some of the guys at Don's. So you never, ever know what will happen or who you'll run into.

You're bringing Hank with you??? I can't wait to see him! You'll have to try and get Patrick to see him too - he'll love him!

Edited August 27, 2011 by Kira

[Dimaline312000 51]

One question I get also is what to do during the down time/no hockey time. Traverse City is a beautiful town and really has a lot to do. Traverse City is Michigan's Wine Country and it has two major Penninsulas Old Mission and Leelanau both Penninsula's have a bunch of Wineries that make some great wine and even if you're not a drinker I would suggest just driving on the Penninsulas becasue there is some very beautiful scenery and some great photo opps of Traverse Bay and Historical Spots. Sleeping Bear Dunes isn't very far away and they are fun to walk around on and such. There is Leelanau Sands Casino and Turtle Creek Casino that are also close by if you like to play slots or card games. I'm a Poker Player and have visited Turtle Creek Casino's Poker Room a couple times. On Thrusday nights there is what's called Poor-Mans Poker which is a $10 Buy in Tourney. There is also another Hockey arena in Traverse City which is named after a pretty famous Detroit Red Wing Called Howe Arena which I've been in a few times but it's primarily for Area High School Hockey Teams but I suggest visiting it just to see there are some plaques in his honor. Of course there is the beach and some great places to eat or have a drink. Boones is a very good place to have Prime Rib but is pretty costly. So for those of you making the trip to Traverse City for the Wings Camp there is plenty to do besides hockey I suggest taking in as much as you can in the time you are there becasue it is a very beautiful area.

[Kira 451]

I'll second that totally. We love Sleeping Bear and the peninsulas. It's a beautiful area. I know my other half would love to take his boat up and go out on the bay fishing, but we haven't done that yet. Me personally, I simply love vegetating under a tree in the State Park with a good book to read. Downtown TC is always nice to wander as well

[Motown4013 350]

I'll second that totally. We love Sleeping Bear and the peninsulas. It's a beautiful area. I know my other half would love to take his boat up and go out on the bay fishing, but we haven't done that yet. Me personally, I simply love vegetating under a tree in the State Park with a good book to read. Downtown TC is always nice to wander as well

All great advice Kira!

We met in 2008 I think...I'll see you again this year although I am not there until Sunday this year!

You do see the guys around town quite a bit! We ran into Z, Franzen, Kronwall, Ozzie and Sammy at the Turtle Creek Casino a few years back playing blackjack. As long as you are polite and dont harass them, everyone is very nice. I would never ask any of them away from the arena for an auto...thats just not cool but Kira is right, at the arena, they respond better if you say thank you and are nice. I have had lots of good fortune by just asking how their summer was, how their knee (ankle, wrist) is doing ect.

That makes 3 of us looking for Bert to sign some stuff see you all there! I cant wait

[WingedHorse 7]

We will be going to Boones for dinner on Friday night - hubby's friend, Nick, owns it. NICE place and prime rib to die for like Dimaline312000 said! Leelanau is good for Carlsons Fish (smoked salmon is out of this world!) as well as wine. Murdick's Fudge in Suttons Bay is the best! Dale & Michelle Murdick are the nicest people and you can see Dale make the fudge while you watch. We are staying at the Sugar Beach Resort where we can relax on the beach.

Maybe Kira will invite us to her campsite so that I can have S'mores and roast marshmallows?

Kira - No, Hank puppy will be staying home from both Training Camp and Sport Horse Nationals. Talked to our vet today and she said that since he will be only 10 weeks old for TC and 11 weeks for SHN's, he would be at serious risk for getting Parvo and other diseases. She recommended that he stay home (or with his Auntie Sara who will be puppy sitting him) until he is 16 weeks old. He WILL be old enough to go Steelhead Fishing w/ us at the end of October...We bought Hank a red collar and red leash. Maybe you can get Z to sign a photo of Hank? You can point to us and we can wave like crazy! LOL!

Just look for the white Robitaille jersey w/ the red Yzerman jersey.

[Dimaline312000 51]

I'll second that totally. We love Sleeping Bear and the peninsulas. It's a beautiful area. I know my other half would love to take his boat up and go out on the bay fishing, but we haven't done that yet. Me personally, I simply love vegetating under a tree in the State Park with a good book to read. Downtown TC is always nice to wander as well

We were considering bringing our boat up to TC and just stayin on it but it's a little too small and not all the accomidations as a hotel would have so we decided against it. We love just wandering around Traverse City and visting the State Parks like you. Just two weeks away now before we head up there!!!! I'm definetly ready for some Hockey!!!!

[Kira 451]

Jeanie, you and Dale are DEFINITELY invited to our camp...we try to get site #215 every year, and most likely we'll get it again. I'll call you and let you know for sure. Dimaline, that invite is open to you as well. We'd like to try to get our friends together and have a cookout night where it's pretty much potluck. Art and Kathy will be there and some other friends as well hopefully. So if you wanna stick your head in the door, do so!

[Dimaline312000 51]

Jeanie, you and Dale are DEFINITELY invited to our camp...we try to get site #215 every year, and most likely we'll get it again. I'll call you and let you know for sure. Dimaline, that invite is open to you as well. We'd like to try to get our friends together and have a cookout night where it's pretty much potluck. Art and Kathy will be there and some other friends as well hopefully. So if you wanna stick your head in the door, do so!

Thank you very much for the invite, I will see what the family wants to do maybe we'll take you up on that offer. Thanks so much.

[WingedHorse 7]

I will bring the s'more fixin's!!!

[Kira 451]

Sounds good...make the Hershey bars special dark, 'cause they actually have more antioxidants and are better for you.

[Miss Wing Queen 154]

Sounds good...make the Hershey bars special dark, 'cause they actually have more antioxidants and are better for you.

'Cause we sure know the marshmallows (especially the jumbo kind like Meijer sells) aren't one bit healthy!

I would definitely say my favorite of the two peninsula's is Old Mission. There is one part on the main road up there where you are on the top of the hill and can see both bays. God, it's so gorgeous. There are also the two lighthouses to visit.

As for being on the water, in '09 I rented a jetski (very hard to come by after Labor Day) and rode in the West Bay nearly up to Old Mission Peninsula. It was such a great trip. As I was still heading out, I saw something flying at me and realized it was a huge jet that soared so low above me. It was so neat because it was just me on the water and nothing else. Also for down time is kayaking. You can kayak on the Boardman River or nearby Crystal River by Glen Arbor.

[Kira 451]

Take the time to go out to Sleeping Bear Dunes. It's a nice little drive out to Empire, and the park has just been named the most beautiful spot in America by one of the travel mags. You can climb the dunes (if you're energetic), and it gives you a great view of both Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. There is also the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, where if you're lucky you might see wildlife of various kinds cross in front of you. I'll warn you, there is a 450 foot dune along the scenic drive...they say it takes 5 minutes to get down to the bottom, but an hour to get back up. My 12-year-old great niece did it, and it took everything she had to get back to the top. DON'T DO IT!!!! Just take your camera and shoot from the top. It's a very nice journey.