Boston Bruins Take to Ice in Return to Play Training Day 1

(Photo: Boston Bruins, used with permission)

After almost four months of being off the ice and with their families, the Boston Bruins were back at Warrior as a team—albeit a slightly smaller group—for the first day of the NHL’s Return to Play training camp. The other 23 teams who will be participating in the 2020 playoffs were all doing likewise. Of course, the experience isn’t quite the same as a traditional practice.

For instance, a few faces were still missing including David Pastrnak, Daniel Vladar and Urho Vaakanainen. All are expected soon, as they are still going through international quarantine measures.

And perhaps it is the off-ice preparations that remind the players most that this is still uncharted territory that they have entered.

“Yeah, so for me, you know, I was a little bit more used to it because I was here for phase two. So, some of the things that we did today you know, obviously all the protocols and precautions that were taken is met at all times until you get to the ice. Or if you’re working out, workouts are only in small groups of 12 guys. Otherwise, it’s, yeah, you’re wearing your mask, you’re good at, you know, wash your hands often and try to keep distance as much as possible when you can,” shared Patrice Bergeron.

Once the players were on the ice though, it is their home, their sanctuary, and a place where their body knows just what needs to happen.

“I was very interested to see what the response would be getting back and trying to get into the swing of things with all the protocols we had to go through off the ice,” said Torey Krug. “But once we were on the ice it was like a normal day. It felt like we didn’t miss a beat.”

While they have been separated for the bulk of the previous four months, the Boston Bruins finished their last 2019-20 regular season game as a cohesive unit. They are not only a team but a tight knit family. Many of them have played together now for a number of years. They know where their line mates will be during any given play. When left to muscle memory, and not overthinking, they connect on passes and make things happen.

Oh sure, they are all experiencing some rust. Throughout the NHL pause whenever interviewed they have all stated that while they could continue to work out, there was no way to simulate being on the ice. They have now been able to get back onto the ice during Phase 2, in small groups, getting their feet back under them. Most of them have been skating since they were old enough to walk almost. For them moving about the ice in skates is akin to walking and something that doesn’t require thought.

What is needed now is the experience of making tight turns, battling in the corners, protecting the puck and all the little things that mean the difference between a win and a loss for a team. The more they practice they better their bodies will respond to such conditions, but for a first day, thing seemed to go well from all accounts.

“I thought the willingness to work was excellent. Guys were in a good mood. It reminded me a lot of our practices during the year where guys are, you know, working hard, taking care of business, but enjoying themselves, having fun and chirping each other so it’s like kind of where we left off in terms of the mood and I thought the overall I guess rating of it,” state head coach Bruce Cassidy.