Hershey update

Tim Leone has some Hershey updates. I loved this part:

NOTES: Robitaille remains in the market for a name for his son. "I was going to say we're probably going to call him Bruce to get more ice time -- or Douglas [for Doug Yingst]," he joked.

Apparently Robitaille lost 5 lbs. this off season and put on some muscle to better compete for ice time. Leone also quotes him as saying:

I guess having a kid on the way is going to stop me from doing my [partying] stuff like the last two years," he said. "I'm more intense, more dedicated to hockey. I think it's one of the major things that changed me this summer, getting more quiet and staying at home and working more at the gym.

Um, how hard can you party in Hershey? I'm not knocking the place, but everything is about 5 miles apart. And has to do with chocolate.

News from Hershey

The always excellent Tim Leone has a piece out today about some of the players who took part in last week's development camp. Andrew Gordon and Sami Lepisto will be in Hershey, but expect the Cap's recent signee, Jason Morgan, to make it up in case of injuries. After finishing up the year with St. Cloud State, Gordon played on the Bear's practice squad during the playoffs and even sported the team's trademark mohawk.

Leone also speaks with Oskar Osala (how can you not love that name?) about his prospects in the pros. And Leone has some fun facts: Sami Lepisto's godfather? Jari Kurri. And Bruce Boudreau knows Jason Morgan, as he coached him in the ECHL during the 97-98 season. Some highlights from the column:

Boudreau said he likes the reality and ego check young players get when they're able to get a taste of the AHL before their formal rookie campaign.

"These kids that weren't Aces (Bear's practice squad), they come to camp and think automatically they've got a job, for one," Boudreau said. "They think, Oh, I didn't make the NHL, I'm going to eat up the American Hockey League. I think these kids [who were 2007 Black Aces] are going to be so ahead of that.

And this from the 6-4, 222 pound Osala:

"When you're big like me, you have to finish every check," Osala said. "That's just a part of the North American game. That's what I will always do.

"I try to do everything to help the team win. I try to finish my checks, shoot a lot, and try to make room for my teammates.

I would love to see Osala in Washington or Hershey soon, and from GMGM's quotes, that shouldnt be too far off the horizon.