WINDSOR, Colo. — The Colorado Eagles are now more than halfway through their training camp. Camp ends on Saturday and cuts begin next week.
Despite recent player reassignments, the roster remains uncertain. According to head coach Aaron Schneekloth, it has only raised the intensity level of the players.
“I think actually, the more guys that are sent down to us just increases our intensity and pace and execution out there,” Schneekloth said. “So it’s good for the group. It’s good for our guys that are trying to find an opportunity from the ECHL and just ups everybody’s execution pace.”
The Eagles will be one of six AHL teams not taking part in a preseason this year. Players will need to find their game pace elsewhere, such as at camp.
Schneekloth himself is itching to get the season going and will make his AHL head coaching debut on Oct. 13 against the Grand Rapids Griffins.
“It’s exciting for everybody,” Schneekloth said. “We’ve got a new staff. You know, I’m in a new position. We’ve got a good group of returning players. So I’m excited about players that have signed on throughout the summer. It’s a fresh start for everybody, and we’re just looking forward to getting going.”
Alex Beaucage, who ended last season with a shoulder injury that led to surgery, was very critical of his career year. Beaucage strung together 63 games and put 46 points on the board.
Beaucage got in a scuffle during the game on April 8th against the Barracuda. He skated off the ice holding his shoulder and shaking his head. #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @FPC_AHL
(Found the clip courtesy of @imaraindancer) pic.twitter.com/p8Yx1ZWZI2— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) April 20, 2023
“I think my skating is the main point of focus,” Beaucage said. “I think it’s way better now. I think that the shoulder injury was maybe a good thing for my skating because that’s pretty much all I could do this summer because I couldn’t really shoot and use my upper body. So I feel that’s way better. I feel like my defensive game need always to be better. I think it’s way better and there’s ways to get better so I think those are two main things and also maybe my physical application has finished all my checks and battles.”
Beaucage knows he needs to work on his skating. He possesses the speed but is lacking in strength. Beaucage also needs to finish his checks into the boards. He made significant improvements in multiple aspects of his game last season. It will be interesting to see where his new strengths are, especially since he could not work on his upper body during the summer.
The Eagles will continue to grow over these next few days. The Colorado Avalanche reassigned five players to the Eagles this morning, with just a handful of prospective Eagles left in Denver. I assume the Avs will play the last preseason game tomorrow night against the Vegas Golden Knights and then make more reassignments.