From the Booth

2021 Training Camp Notebook, Vol. 2

Tues., 10/12/21

A newsy second week of Monsters camp began Monday with multiple headlines breaking – veteran defenseman Dillon Simpson was named the club’s 2021-22 captain alongside assistants Justin Scott and Tyler Sikura while three more players were assigned to the Monsters in defensemen Gabriel Carlsson and Mikko Lehtonen, and forward Kevin Stenlund. Cleveland also trimmed its training camp roster by one name, sending rookie goaltender Jet Greaves to the ECHL and the Kalamazoo Wings.

As it stands now with just three days left until the start of the season, the Monsters are hosting 31 players in camp – 32 if you count the subject of today’s piece, who has yet to be assigned to Cleveland but has been working hard on and off the ice regardless…

After a point-per-game showing through the first nine contests of the 2020-21 season, his second as a pro, forward Trey Fix-Wolansky was dealt a difficult blow when a knee injury ended his campaign prematurely. After surgery, followed by a grueling and extended offseason of recovery and treatment, Fix-Wolansky is back on the ice, albeit in a red non-contact jersey, and we spoke with him about his long road back to the lineup.

Trey Fix-Wolansky on…

How things are going in his recovery from last season’s knee injury…

“Recovery’s going really well – obviously it’s been a long time, almost seven months now, so it’s been a long process but I’ve been positive through it all and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel…I know I’m going to come back and be stronger so I’m just excited to get back skating with the group soon.”

The end of the recovery process as one of the most challenging phases…

“I’ve felt pretty good for awhile now but obviously there’s stuff inside the knee that’s still going on recovery-wise so [I’m] just being cautious with it. I’m still a young guy and still have hopefully a long career to go, so I want to make sure my knee’s 100% when I come back and have no more issues with it.”

Getting away from the game during his rehabilitation process…

“Last year we had like an eight-month offseason – this one is definitely a little bit shorter but I didn’t get to really golf or anything. I’m a big golfer and didn’t get to play at all…It was just a lot of time in the gym, a lot of time on the ice and just getting back to things.”

The mix of players in camp with the Monsters this season…

“[It’s a] pretty young team, a lot of returning guys from last year, some new faces as well. Just watching practices, the guys from our team that were with Columbus – everyone looks quick, everyone looks fast, they all look strong so I think this year is going to be a big year for our team.”

His role in the locker room as a third-year pro…

“Being around for two years now, I know some things that the coaching staff asks from the players, so I try to be a vocal guy in the room no matter what age I am.”

Thanks for reading Monsters fans, we’ll be back with one more piece before the season starts – next up is a conversation with the Monsters’ newly minted captain. Until next time, enjoy the countdown to opening night, we’re mere hours away!