9/26/19 MONSTERS TRAINING CAMP NOTEBOOK

After weeks of NHL competition and conditioning at Columbus Blue Jackets Training Camp, the Cleveland Monsters broke their 2019 AHL Training Camp at OBM Arena in Strongsville on Monday under new Head Coach Mike Eaves and with 28 players on either AHL contracts or assigned by the Blue Jackets. With the first game of the club’s 13th American League campaign looming on October 4th, the luxury of nearly two full weeks of practice was not lost on forward Justin Scott, returning for his fourth season with the Monsters.

Justin Scott, 4th-year forward

…On having more practice time heading into the season…

“It’s definitely different having a little more time to get prepared…A bunch of us have been skating together in Columbus but it’s definitely good to get he group going here and get prepared.”

…On new Monsters Head Coach Mike Eaves…

“[He has] a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of teaching and he seems like a real people person…I think that’s what he’s trying to get out of everyone and it goes a long way.”

…On having so many returning faces in Clevland this year…

“We’re excited…It was nice to get into the playoffs last year and get into the second round and get a little experience so I think everyone’s going to come back with a little more experience. We’re hungry so it’s going to be an exciting year.”

…On having 18 forwards currently on the Training Camp roster…

“It’s pro hockey, anywhere you go you’ve got to earn your spot so definitely high-tempo practices out here…It makes for good competition and everyone’s getting better, that’s the main thing.”

Cleveland’s defensive corps appears as stable as can be heading into the 2019-20 season and currently features seven players, all returners with the exception of Swedish-born defenseman Anton Karlsson, a veteran of five SHL seasons. Third-year Monsters blue-liner Doyle Somerby says the season is coming up quickly and there’s no time to waste during on-ice sessions.

Doyle Somerby, Third-year defenseman

…On the mood thus far during Monsters camp…

“We feel pretty good…We’re working hard every practice and we’ve got a good group of guys here. It’s always fun competing and we know we’ve got to get better for next weekend and get ready to go.”

…On the large number of returning players for Cleveland this season…

“Whenever you come into a locker room and you know a lot of the faces and you’ve played together before it makes it kind of crisp out there. You know how guys skate and where they are on the ice…Even with the new faces there’s a lot of competition and healthy competition at that. The practices have been really hard and really competitive and that’s how you get better.”

…On what he takes away from participating in Blue Jackets Training Camp…

“Obviously you want to be up there and play with those guys and be at that level. That’s what the ultimate goal is and that’s what you’re always working for so when you’re there during camp you’re just trying to take it in and work as hard as you can and obviously it’s good to be up there with those names and get comfortable around those guys.”

…On his first impressions of Mike Eaves…

“He knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. He’s really direct with us and he’s gotten to know us on a personal level and shows he cares and we’ll be ready to go for him.”

UP AND DOWN

Ten Monsters players (forwards Paul Bittner, Zac Dalpe, Nathan Gerbe, Markus Hannikainen, Nikita Korostelev, Kole Sherwood and Kevin Stenlund, defensemen Gabriel Carlsson and Anton Karlsson, and goaltender Veini Vehvilainen) were recalled by the Blue Jackets on Tuesday in order to participate in Columbus’ preseason game that night in Buffalo. All ten players dressed and nine of the ten appeared in the Jackets’ 4-3 loss to the Sabres with the lone exception being Vehvilainen who served as backup goaltender. Gerbe, a Monsters fan favorite, dazzled with a pair of goals while Bittner and Korostelev each notched an assist. All ten players were assigned back to Cleveland on Wednesday morning.