Michael SantiniBRAMPTON, Ont. – Stan Butler made his feelings clear to Michael Santini at the end of the Brampton Battalion’s orientation camp in May: Shape up or ship out.
Butler, the Ontario Hockey League club’s director of hockey operations and head coach, told the 19-year-old left winger that he’d have to work hard in the summer to earn a roster spot for 2010-11.
“He gave it to me straight up,” Santini said Thursday as the Battalion’s training camp continued with practices and an intrasquad game featuring 44 players. “He told me I needed to get in shape if I wanted to play here.”
Santini heeded the warning, working out for three months in the Battalion dressing room under the direction of head trainer Binne Brouwer. The work paid off, as Santini shed 19 pounds and cut his body fat percentage markedly. Butler praised Santini’s commitment in an address to the Troops before fitness testing started Wednesday.
“I was really happy to hear those compliments,” said Santini, who measures five-foot-eight, 166 pounds. “He’s been telling me I’ve been doing a great job training. My fitness testing results were even better than what I thought they would be.”
A resident of Woodbridge, Ont., Santini said it took a while to get into a routine.
“It was tough, but it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I was commuting from Woodbridge every day and training for two to three hours. The first week was the toughest, and the second week wasn’t easy either.
“But Binne kept telling me I’d get used to it. That happened, and I got used to eating healthier. That’s not something I always did. I’m not going to stop doing that now the season is starting.”
Santini said he already has experienced the benefits of his training during camp.
“I’ve been feeling great through this. It’s probably the best I’ve ever felt. I feel faster since I’m not carrying as much weight. I feel strong.”
A fifth-round pick of the Sarnia Sting in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, Santini played 15 games for Sarnia over two seasons. After his rights were acquired by the Battalion in January, he earned three assists in eight games with the Troops before adding two goals and two assists for four points in 10 playoff games. He also led the junior A Mississauga Chargers in scoring last season with 36 goals and 40 assists for 76 points in 44 games.
“When you come to the OHL, you have to keep training. But when you go down to junior A, they don’t do any of that. Stan expects me to score goals and be a playmaker. I think I’m a smart player who deserves a shot at playing here this season.”
Camp continues Friday with more practice and an intrasquad game at 4 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
LINEUPS
TEAM GREEN
Real Cormier, Jacob Riley, Spencer Abraham, Dylan Blujus, Connor McGrath, Marcus McIvor, Jordan McNaughton, Cameron Wind, Philip Lane, Liam Bird, Craig Moore, Daniel Leavens, Adam Lloyd, Sam Carrick, Cameron McDavid, Stephon Thorne, Andreas Tsogkas, Daniel Vernace, Michael Lucifora, Ian MacDonald, Alex O’Neil, Michael Santini.
TEAM WHITE
Alex Lepore, Adam Shibuya, Dennis Saikkonen, Kyle Pereira, Andrew Darrigo, Michael Mastrangelo, Jordan Auld, Zach Bell, Brenden Miller, Mitchell Byrne, Scott Tanski, Connor Jarvis, Jonathan Johansson, Luke Laidlaw, Patrick Megannety, Sean Jones, Jordan Poirier, Emerson Small, Domenic Alberga, Barclay Goodrow, Matt MacLeod, Ian Watters.
RECAP
Sam Carrick scored two goals to pace Green to an 8-6 win in the camp opener.
Green goals: Carrick 2, Lucifora, Vernace, Santini, Moore, Thorne, Lloyd.
White goals: Watters 2, Laidlaw, MacLeod, Jarvis, Jones.
BATTALION NOTEBOOK: OHL officials Chris Carnegie and Scott Ferguson worked the game, played in three 25-minute periods … Each team was 0-for-1 on the power play … Goaltender Emerson Verrier left camp to attend his sister’s wedding in Llanbedrog, Wales … Real Cormier started in goal for Green and allowed three goals in 38:09. Jacob Riley gave up three the rest of the way … Each White goaltender played one period. Starter Dennis Saikkonen allowed three goals, while Adam Shibuya surrendered four and Alex Lepore two … Michael Lucifora and Andrew Darrigo squared off in a brief second-period bout, with Darrigo getting the takedown … Domenic Alberga and Ian MacDonald engaged in a spirited third-period scrap … Cameron Wind laid out Sean Jones with a shoulder check in the first frame … Jonathan Johansson stopped Liam Bird in his tracks with a neutral-zone hit in the third … Former Battalion defenceman Michael Vernace, older brother of Green forward Daniel, was in attendance … Brampton resident Luke Laidlaw was a sixth-round pick of the Kingston Frontenacs in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection. Laidlaw’s rights remain with the Frontenacs, who granted him permission to skate with the Battalion … Jason Day, the Battalion’s southwestern Ontario scout, coached White, while John Evans, the club’s eastern Ontario scout, guided Green … Assistant coach Kelly Harper ran each squad through a 45-minute morning practice … Kyle Nicholson is the Troops’ new assistant trainer, replacing Greg Phillips.
