Training Camp Begins Today (UPDATE)

After a very long, but action-filled summer, he were are; Training Camp 2009. From Day One of the off-season, head coach John Tortorella has constantly stressed how crucial training camp is for both him and the players, as they will not only be tested physically, but also mentally like they have never been before. Tortorella's training camps have developed a large reputation over the years, and now it is finally here in New York, with the Rangers, where it belongs.

Torts came in last season as Renney's replacement, but only had two days to practice until games started. The difference in the system and the Rangers' overall game was significant, and that was after only two days worth of work. This season, Tortorella's first full year with the Blueshirts, he will have the ability to work with a new roster that Sather has basically created according to his coaching style, and that work begins today, the beginning of a nine-day long session where the Rangers will have the system pounded into their heads.

Here is the official schedule for Rangers training camp courtesy of Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants:

Day 1 (today) meeting at 7 a.m. and then into medicals. On ice for sprint testing - three-lap sprints with the players broken into groups repeated six times with the rope (check yesterday's stories, blogs, tweets) stretched to 150 feet. Sprints should be in the 40-second range. Three-mile run in the evening except for players such as Ales Kotalik and Marian Gaborik who are being protected against potential injury such as shin splints, etc.)

Day 2 (Sunday)- Strength tests and then aerobic skate on ice, 15-lap skates repeated three times in groups. Each 15-lap segment should be around the four-minute mark with eight minutes of rest in between.

Day 3 (Monday) - Scrimmage for about an hour.

Day 4/5 (Tuesday, Wednesday) - vs. Bruins, at Devils. (likely minimum number of NHL required veterans will play)

Day 6 (Thursday) - First cuts

Day 7/8 (Friday/Saturday) - at Detroit, Boston

Day 9 (Sunday) - Second cuts

Based on that, we will pretty much know this year's roster by day nine of training camp, which will be next Sunday, September 20th. From there, it will only be twelve days until the season opener in Pittsburgh on October 2nd, but those twelve days (including three pre-season games) will be worth it as it will be precious time spent between Tortorella and this year's final team to prepare for the 82 game season ahead of them, and hopefully a playoff run.

Also, take notice that the players will not see pucks for the first two days of camp, as it is all skating and conditioning, something that this team needs major improvement on. I am anxious to see the outcome of the 15-lap skate that will occur three times, with only eight minute breaks in-between. That is where Torts means that he is going test these guys physically and mentally, in a drill like that.

I am thrilled to see Tort's training camp here in New York, as it is exactly what guys like Redden, Rozsival, and Drury need to wake them up and get them into gear for the season. The youngsters I am not worried about, as you know what to expect from them, but it is the vets that are a cause for concern. For the entire training camp roster, please follow this LINK to the Rangers Official Site.

Keep checking back on the site, as I will have all news and updates from camp as I get them over the next few days, and especially this weekend. Also, keep tabs on my twitter, as that will be updated most frequently.
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

UPDATE:(10:15am) According to a tweet from Steve Zipay, former Ranger Dan LaCouture is at camp on a try-out basis. He is a great guy, but I am not sure if he still has anything left in the tank. I guess that is why they call it a try-out, right?