Pens get worked at West Point

The hockey exhibition season is almost over and the Penguins are gearing up for their annual… The hockey exhibition season is almost over and the Penguins are gearing up for their annual trip to the United States Military Academy at West Point for three days of team building.

With the team coming off of a recent home-and-home series sweep at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings, the young Penguins look to congeal to avoid such happenings in the regular season.

If last year’s boot camp at West Point was any indication of how the season turned out, it is in the Penguins’ best interest to continue this tradition as long as West Point’s invitation allows them.

The camp, which is run by Greensburg native and former Army Ranger First Sgt. J.B. Spisso, jelled the young unit together and provided them with the camaraderie that is normally associated with those that provide our country with protection and the utmost honor – our Army.

He puts the professional athletes through three days of taxing field exercises that include, but aren’t limited to, daily swamp runs and uphill car pushes. Not only do the Penguins’ players go through these exercises, but they also have daily on-ice sessions at West Point’s ice arena.

Twenty-seven players are expected to be in attendance this year, including 16 forwards, 9 defensemen and two goaltenders.

Leading the group is the newly named captain Sidney Crosby and wily veterans Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts.

Crosby looks to gain leadership experience and possibly calm his feisty nature. He is still taking some aggression penalties, as evident by his slashing minor against the Red Wings.

Recchi and Roberts should continue their quest to be fit in their 40s, or in Recchi’s case, near 40s.

While these leaders look to further their fitness, there are some bubble players still within range of the roster that are heading to West Point.

With four cuts remaining until the final roster is set and Alain Nasreddine as the next logical choice to be sent down to Wilkes-Barre, six players are vying for three roster spots. Four forwards remain for two spots, and two defensemen for one.

Rookies Ryan Stone, Tim Brent and Jonathan Filewich along with free-agent training-camp invitee Adam Hall are in competition for the forward spots, while journeyman Mike Weaver and rookie Kris Letang look to use boot camp as a springboard to gain the defensive spot.

Stone, a 6-foot-2 power forward who switched to wing, has built a reputation throughout the minor leagues and in training camp as a bruising presence. But can he last through West Point?

He missed nearly two months last season with a torn ligament in his wrist, and even he admits the injury has taken some mustard off of his shot. So if Stone wins the spot, it’ll come from his work ethic and physical play.

Brent came to Pittsburgh from Anaheim after requesting to be traded and now the 23-year-old center looks to break into a lineup that is littered with talented faceoff men.

His work ethic has carried him thus far, because he is undersized. But he’ll be facing strong competition from all of the forwards – especially Filewich.

Filewich comes in as the most offensively gifted and most highly touted of the remaining forwards, but is projected as a top-six winger. If he can’t make it at wing, I don’t see a spot for him on this roster.

General manager Ray Shero brought a familiar face to camp in Adam Hall, and Hall has surprised with his offensive ability and work ethic.

Hall, a former Nashville Predator, might have the experience needed to make the team, especially if he puts forth the same effort that we’ve seen out of him thus far in West Point.

In the remaining defensemen, the Pens have two right-handed guys who are on the smaller end of the measuring stick.

The advantage is tipped in Letang’s favor. He made an impression throughout last season in juniors and is one of the team’s top prospects, but he might be suited for a season in the AHL.

Weaver brings some experience – he played in 92 games for Los Angeles over the past two seasons – but is also only 5-foot-9, 182 pounds.

My picks for the final three spots – Stone, Hall and Letang.