David Quinn, the ultra-intense coach of the Monsters, has been counting down the days for training camp to finally arrive.
Lake Erie Monsters coach David Quinn: "We've had success away from the rink; now it's time to have success on the ice and make the playoffs."CLEVELAND, Ohio -- David Quinn, the ultra-intense coach of the Monsters, has been counting down the days for this one to arrive. The Monsters officially open their fourth training camp, and second under Quinn, Wednesday at noon.
The practice at Hoover Arena in Strongsville is open to the public.
Quinn began the countdown last spring, the moment Lake Erie wrapped its third consecutive AHL season with a sub-.500 record and no playoff berth.
"We've had success away from the rink; now it's time to have success on the ice and make the playoffs," he said. "It really is time. I know the players feel the same way."
Quinn stopped just short of guaranteeing a Calder Cup berth for his club, the top affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.
"I've learned the hard way that you can never predict exactly what's going to happen at this level because there's so much out of your control," said Quinn, who begins his second season as a pro head coach. "But I think we've put ourselves in position to weather the types of call-ups and injuries we've sustained the last few years.
"What I will guarantee is, we'll compete hard, night in and night out. And I know we have the talent to match the work rate, so we should be in good shape."
Quinn expects 34 players to be in camp.
"We'll have four or five more trickle in from Colorado over the next week before the season opens," he said. "We'll probably end up keeping 23 guys."
The Monsters will play an intrasquad scrimmage Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at Hoover Arena, 15381 Royalton Rd. Admission is free.
The Monsters do not have a preseason game scheduled. They begin their fourth AHL season Oct. 8 against Syracuse at The Q.
Key players returning include center Phil Dupuis, who has been with the club since the inaugural season, and left winger Justin Mercier. Mercier played at Miami (Ohio). Goalie Jason Bacashihua also is back. Bacashihua was with the Monsters for the first two seasons before playing with Hershey last season.
"I'm really excited about this season, because we've got a lot of young guys who are hungry," Mercier said. "We've got the talent. If we do what we do well, we'll make the playoffs."
Rookies expected to make noise include defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Colby Cohen.
Newcomers with AHL experience include right winger David van der Gulik and center Greg Mauldin.
"I love the things we've done in the off-season," Quinn said.