Madferret
9-14-05, 9:55 AM
Hasek & Heatley camp focus
By BRUCE GARRIOCH
THE spotlight will shine directly on Dominik Hasek and Dany Heatley starting today at the Corel Centre. While the rest of the players reported quietly for Senators training camp yesterday, the team's biggest off-season additions are going to be the focus in the days leading up to the Oct. 5 season opener in Toronto.
For Heatley, it's only been a few weeks since he was acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers for winger Marian Hossa and defenceman Greg DeVries, while Hasek signed with the Senators in June 2004.
"It feels good to be here and to finally get going," said Hasek, who was signed as an unrestricted agent from Detroit. "It's been a long time. It has been 14 or 15 months. It's going to take a little bit of time for me to get adjusted because I have to get back on the ice and get into practice.
"I know there's going to be pressure. I can feel the pressure. I've never played in Canada before. I turn on the television and the radio here and everybody is talking about hockey. It's not like being in the United States, where they talk about other things like baseball and basketball. Hockey is the No. 1 sport. I'm excited."
Hasek is going to get a lot of work in camp. Coach Bryan Murray is going to use Hasek in four pre-season games, while backup Ray Emery will also play four to get himself ready for the season. Hasek is determined to show he can regain his all-star form.
"I don't feel I have anything to prove to anybody," said Hasek. "I know what people are saying, but I don't think too much about it. I know what I can do. I want to play as well as I can play."
As for Heatley, he's looking forward to stepping on the ice on a line with centre Jason Spezza, with Vaclav Varada expected to be on the left side.
"I'm just happy to get going," said Heatley. "I'm hoping that Spezza and I are going to be able to have success. We skated a little bit during an (informal) scrimmage (Monday) and I know he's a skilled player who can move the puck.
"Hopefully, everything will be able to work out."
By BRUCE GARRIOCH
THE spotlight will shine directly on Dominik Hasek and Dany Heatley starting today at the Corel Centre. While the rest of the players reported quietly for Senators training camp yesterday, the team's biggest off-season additions are going to be the focus in the days leading up to the Oct. 5 season opener in Toronto.
For Heatley, it's only been a few weeks since he was acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers for winger Marian Hossa and defenceman Greg DeVries, while Hasek signed with the Senators in June 2004.
"It feels good to be here and to finally get going," said Hasek, who was signed as an unrestricted agent from Detroit. "It's been a long time. It has been 14 or 15 months. It's going to take a little bit of time for me to get adjusted because I have to get back on the ice and get into practice.
"I know there's going to be pressure. I can feel the pressure. I've never played in Canada before. I turn on the television and the radio here and everybody is talking about hockey. It's not like being in the United States, where they talk about other things like baseball and basketball. Hockey is the No. 1 sport. I'm excited."
Hasek is going to get a lot of work in camp. Coach Bryan Murray is going to use Hasek in four pre-season games, while backup Ray Emery will also play four to get himself ready for the season. Hasek is determined to show he can regain his all-star form.
"I don't feel I have anything to prove to anybody," said Hasek. "I know what people are saying, but I don't think too much about it. I know what I can do. I want to play as well as I can play."
As for Heatley, he's looking forward to stepping on the ice on a line with centre Jason Spezza, with Vaclav Varada expected to be on the left side.
"I'm just happy to get going," said Heatley. "I'm hoping that Spezza and I are going to be able to have success. We skated a little bit during an (informal) scrimmage (Monday) and I know he's a skilled player who can move the puck.
"Hopefully, everything will be able to work out."