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Camp competitions aren't strictly a young man's game Print
Pacific
Written by Curtis Zupke   
Monday, September 26, 2011 21:21

Training camp competitions are not just for young players. Just ask experienced defenseman Colin White and Jim Vandermeer, who are rubbing elbows with rookies in San Jose.

Curtis ZupkeTraining camp is typically a time for young players to shine and take that big step toward their dream of playing in the NHL.

Coming out of a corner with the puck could mean the difference between staying with the big club or spending another year in Rochester, Abbotsford, or another AHL address.

Colin White and Jim Vandermeer know the feeling well ... from, oh, roughly 10 years ago.

The two have a combined 1,179 NHL games on their resume.

Both are competing for depth defensemen spots on San Jose's blue line against guys who might have been collecting their hockey cards as 12-year-olds.

"It happens every year," Vandermeer said after a preseason game in Anaheim. "It's good to have competition to push you. If there wasn't, it wouldn't be beneficial to any of us."

While San Jose's big defensive acquisition in the off-season was Minnesota's Brent Burns, both White and Vandermeer bring experience and leadership to the Sharks.

White, 33, was a two-time Stanley Cup winner with New Jersey and has played 111 playoff games. Vandermeer, 31, is a journeyman tough guy but a welcome addition to any room. San Jose coach Todd McLellan says those qualities will benefit a Sharks team known for coming up short.

"I think we've already seen it," McLellan said Wednesday. "Two new defensemen to our organization come in here and lead the way tonight speaks volumes about their character. I think that the way they played, the ingredients that they bring to our back end, should help us. We haven't had that much of it in the past."

White signed a one-year deal in August after he spent his entire 11-season career with the Devils, a run that included 24 postseason games in their 2003 Stanley Cup run.

That San Jose is on the precipice of a long playoff run made it a desirable destination.Jim Vandermeer

"I like this club here," White said. "I've liked their team the last couple of years. They've become real close ... We all have the same goal in mind. We're focused on that. It doesn't happen overnight. It's a long season.

"It is different, definitely. I'm looking forward to the challenge being with a new team."

Vandermeer signed a one-year deal on the first day of free agency and could not have foreseen the club signing White a month later.

With White presumably having the inside track for a spot in the third pairing, the affable Vandermeer finds himself trying to scratch out a role as the sixth or seventh defenseman.

Besides toughness, he offers shot-blocking ability and a big body. He might end up shuttling between the Sharks and the minors, but Vandermeer welcomes San Jose after a season in Edmonton.

"Wherever they want me," he said. "Obviously I want to be part of it. Wherever they slot me is where I'll be. Hopefully I'm so good that I'll move up."

Notes

Centers Peter Holland and Andy Miele were among the early surprises in camp for Anaheim and Phoenix, respectively. Holland, the 15th pick of the 2009 draft, appears to be leaner and hungrier after a second summer spent with noted trainer and former player Gary Roberts. He also benefited from a three-game stint in the AHL last season. "I'm just trying to carry that confidence into this camp," Holland said. "I had a great four years of junior and whether I'm in Syracuse or Anaheim this year, it's a new chapter for me and a new hockey career. No matter where I am I'm excited to get it started." … Monday afternoon, he punched his ticket to Syracuse. ... Miele won the Hobey Baker Award with Miami of Ohio and played for the U.S. in May's World Championships but isn't ranked among Phoenix's top 10 prospects by The Hockey News. He made the first round of cuts ... It is only preseason, of course, but left wing Vernon Fiddler showed Dallas his faceoff prowess by winning 24 of 34 faceoffs in two games ... Kings coach Terry Murray said he wouldn't have any reservations inserting Drew Doughty in the lineup if he signed right before the season. Doughty remained unsigned as of Monday.

Photos by Getty Images

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Last Updated on Thursday, September 29, 2011 10:26