Having covered the University of North Dakota hockey team for four seasons, I had the chance to witness a few UND’s practices over that four-year period. So, the news of the Flyers getting an education to fast paced hockey doesn’t come as much of a shock to me.
If you haven’t seen one of his practices, coach Hakstol’s practices were short, intense. There wasn’t a lot of wasted movement. Finally, there also wasn’t a lot of fooling around. Practices were considered work time.
Since Hakstol has moved on to the Flyers, you can see the same similarities starting to emerge at a different zip code. Reports from the Flyers first training camp practices talked of players doubled over and out of breath.
Flyers forward Jake Voracek was impressed with his new head coach.
“He knows so much about hockey,” Voracek told Philly.com. “It’s great that we got to talk, but the respect from me to him doesn’t change. The respect is there. I’m sure he’s going to learn, as we’re going to learn. He’s a very experienced coach, and I’m sure we’re going to have a great journey.”
Former Fighting Sioux forward Chris Porter wasn’t shocked with the first day’s practice.
“It’s been eight years since I had Dave, but that’s the way it was like in college,” said Porter, a summer free agent signee to a two-way contract. “Every single practice was upbeat and up tempo … just like today.” (Philly.com)
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