Report: Zach Boychuk "Developing In Right Direction"

There was a recent article in the Airdrie City View with some interesting quotes from Carolina Hurricanes winger, Zach Boychuk, that deserve some attention.  First of all, Boychuk told reporter Nick Kuhl that he was given a favorable report by Ron Francis during his end of season exit interview.

"They told me I’m developing in the right direction and things are really looking like I’m moving forward," Boychuk said. "It’s going to be another training camp battle, as a few guys will be going for a couple of spots."

The winger then talked about his summer workouts.

"I started skating in July a couple times a week, and now we’re on the ice everyday," he said. "It’s back to the grind and getting ready to go to camp. I leave Aug. 30, so it’s coming soon."

So for those of you looking for Boychuk at "Camp Brind`Amour", (the Canes unofficial preseason skate which starts this morning), it looks like he won't be here until later next week.  He's hoping to attend two charity golf events this week, one on the 25th and one on the 27th. 

Boychuk certainly hasn't been twiddling his thumbs all summer before his return to Raleigh, but he did admit that he wanted to come here earlier, rather than later, like he did last year.

He stayed in Calgary until a week before training camp last year, but has decided to leave earlier this year to better prepare himself and acclimatize to playing hockey in the September heat and humidity of North Carolina.

That might be one thing some fans hadn't considered before.  Even with an inside rink, conditions are certainly different here in Carolina than they are in many places, like Alberta.  It might take some time to acclimate yourself to the conditions.  If you are not used to it, humidity can affect different people in different ways. 

Boychuk's fans in Carolina look forward to his return and anticipate a great battle to make the team at this season's training camp.