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October 5, 2011
That's what a 15-hour drive from Springfield, Mass. can do. It was there where Ginand wrapped up American Hockey League camp before arriving in Kalamazoo to catch the second day of K-Wings training camp.
"My body is fine — in a week there, we had three games so I was conditioned, but my mind was tired," Ginand admitted after leaving the ice at Wings Stadium.
Ginand, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward, is entering his first full professional season this year after his tenure as a standout with Mercyhurst College. The Massachusetts native logged 11 games with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers upon concluding his senior year at Mercyhurst.
"He's a big body for a forward and we felt we were lacking a little bit of size last year and that's one of the things that first got us interested in him," K-Wings coach Nick Bootland said.
"He spent a little time in the American Hockey League last year and that's obviously a testament to how good his career was that someone noticed that. We just want to use his frame and create some space and also provide a little offense for us."
One of the first orders of business Bootland has for newcomers is to let them know the standards and expectations of the program. Ginand already knew them coming in.
"My brother (Ryan Ginand of the Trenton Devils) played in the league last year and talking to him, I knew Kalamazoo is always competitive," Ginand said. "Obviously the goal for everyone, wherever they play, is to win a championship. Like my brother was telling me last year, this is one of the best chances to win."
Former Laker Ginand arrives at Kalamazoo training camp
by Jayson Bussa, Kalamazoo Gazette
Phillip Ginand came into Tuesday's Kalamazoo Wings training camp in top physical shape.
His mind was a little fatigued, though.
That's what a 15-hour drive from Springfield, Mass. can do. It was there where Ginand wrapped up American Hockey League camp before arriving in Kalamazoo to catch the second day of K-Wings training camp.
"My body is fine — in a week there, we had three games so I was conditioned, but my mind was tired," Ginand admitted after leaving the ice at Wings Stadium.
Ginand, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward, is entering his first full professional season this year after his tenure as a standout with Mercyhurst College. The Massachusetts native logged 11 games with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers upon concluding his senior year at Mercyhurst.
"He's a big body for a forward and we felt we were lacking a little bit of size last year and that's one of the things that first got us interested in him," K-Wings coach Nick Bootland said.
"He spent a little time in the American Hockey League last year and that's obviously a testament to how good his career was that someone noticed that. We just want to use his frame and create some space and also provide a little offense for us."
One of the first orders of business Bootland has for newcomers is to let them know the standards and expectations of the program. Ginand already knew them coming in.
"My brother (Ryan Ginand of the Trenton Devils) played in the league last year and talking to him, I knew Kalamazoo is always competitive," Ginand said. "Obviously the goal for everyone, wherever they play, is to win a championship. Like my brother was telling me last year, this is one of the best chances to win."
