THERE have been some 'pre-seasons' at Sheffield Steelers where players have turned up just a day before - or even several days after - the start of the new league campaign.
In short, a fairly ramshackle, disorganised system was common-place, where coaches and owners were keeping salary costs to a minimum in the vain hope that their skaters would come in fit and ready to hit the ground running.
It's certainly not the
way current coach Dave Matsos and his backroom team do things.
The class of 2008-9 want to ensure they are as prepared as they can be for the start of the regular league season.
Skipper Jonathan Phillips said even now many other teams "get their players in on a Friday, play a couple of exhibition games at the weekend and then the next week they are into league play.
"We know that this year if we are to win the league title we need a great start to the league season, therefore the pre season is vital and in all fairness we are been given a hell of a build up.
"A full week leading up to the games against (German team) Bietigheim on the 23rd and 24th August at iceSheffield, then another full week before the Yorkshire Cup games against Hull at the Arena and then a third full week before the league starts.
"One thing is a certain, there won't be a team better prepared than us come the start of the year," said the Welshman. "I feel in great shape and seeing some of the other guys like Mark Thomas and Jason Hewitt you can tell that they have the bit between their teeth as well.''
READ MOREIce hockey More rugby. More boxing. Sports columnists. All sport categoriesThe full article contains 302 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
