Welcome To Camp Knoblauch
The first ever Camp Knoblauch is in session in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Otters head coach, who joined Erie in November of last year, is entering his first full season with the team. With a fresh regular season looming, Kris Knoblauch is seeing his first training camp off to a great start.
“We’re very happy with the way the players have come in here ready to make a difference,” Kris said after the late practice Tuesday. “I think we’re off to a very good start.”
Most times when you think of a coach’s first training camp, you would expect some time for the team to meet the coach. Whether it’s team bonding or getting to know each other on the ice, there usually is some kind of learning experience. This isn’t the case for the Otters. This team was able to get through that period as the made their way through last year’s midseason coaching transition.
“I think last year when I came in, that time was mostly a learning experience for me. Certainly (the players) learned a little bit about me and what I expect, but overall I think it was more me learning the players,” said Kris of joining the Otters last year. “I tried some different systems and after trying quite a few of things, ultimately I felt we had to play hockey the way I always felt that we should.”
With only four days of practices and scrimmages before the team’s first exhibition game against Niagara, the Otters must be ready to play hockey right from day one. This is where Erie won’t find themselves behind the rest of the league. The team and coaching staff already have that familiarity with each other.
“I think that going into the season I know all of these players,” Knoblauch explained of his team. “Even our young players that we expect to have an opportunity to make our team. I know a little bit about them and where they’re going to fit with our roster.”
With familiarity of the players and style of hockey he wants to play understood, Kris Knoblauch has one last thing to cross off his training camp check list.
“The most important thing is creating that competitive atmosphere and certainly starting that from day one,” Kris answered when asked about the most important thing of a training camp. “The players are so excited to see each other that that competitive edge doesn’t always happen. A coach’s biggest goal is to get that compete level or competitive spirit.”
With under a month until opening night, the Otters appear to be on their way to the start of the season they’re hoping for. A good camp can send the team on their way to improving on last year’s season to forget. It only comes around once a year, but Camp Knoblauch is the destination to be at this summer.
