2011 Tampa Bay Lightning training camp schedule announced

Anyone remember last year, when people were surprised at the turnout for the Bolts training camp events at the Ice Sports?  Well, I think the franchise took deep note of that when planning this years camp.

Oh, it's not the on-ice drills and workouts that have been changed to accommodate an audience. It's the fact there will be fan related events off-ice -- alumni signing autographs, face-painting for the kids, Thunderbug, the Lightning Girls,the Bolt Brigade, and arena hostess Brittany Zion being in attendance -- that emphasizes the fact the Lightning realize they have a good thing going in a passionate training camp crowd.

But to cut to the chase, the team released it's official schedule for public workouts this weekend.

Saturday, September 17^th (Brandon Ice Sports Forum)

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM Main Locker Room Meeting

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM Alternate Locker Room Meeting

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM North Rink: Team White Practice

South Rink: Team Blue Practice

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Flood North Rink

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM North Rink: Scrimmage – Team White vs. Team Blue

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM South Rink: Goalie and Extra Players Practice/ Off-Ice Training

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM South Rink: Team White On-Ice Conditioning

Weight Room: Team Blue Off-Ice Conditioning

12:30 PM Weight Room: Optional Stretch and Cool-Down

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Media Availability/Lunch

Sunday, September 18^th (Brandon Ice Sports Forum)

9:00 AM Optional Stretch and Activation

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM Main Locker Room Meeting

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM Alternate Locker Room Meeting

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM North Rink: Team Blue Practice

South Rink: Team White Practice

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Flood North Rink

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM North Rink: Scrimmage – Team White vs. Team Blue

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM South Rink: Goalie and Extra Players Practice/Off-Ice Training

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM South Rink: Team Blue On-Ice Conditioning

Weight Room: Team White Off-Ice Conditioning

12:30 PM Weight Room: Optional Stretch and Cool-Down

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Lunch

Monday, September 19^th (Brandon Ice Sports Forum)

Team Blue

9:00 AM Optional Stretch and Activation

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM Team Blue Meeting (Main Locker Room)

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM South Rink: Team Blue Practice

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Flood South Rink

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM South Rink: Team Blue Practice

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Weight Room: Team Blue Off-Ice Conditioning

12:30 PM Weight Room: Optional Stretch and Cool-Down

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Media Availability/Lunch

Team White

8:00 AM – 10:30 AM Breakfast at Brandon Ice Sports Forum

9:00 AM 1^st Bus from Embassy Suites to Ice Sports Forum

9:30 AM 2^nd Bus from Embassy Suites to Ice Sports Forum

10:00 AM Optional Stretch and Activation

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Team White Meeting (Main Locker Room)

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM North Rink: Team White Practice

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM Flood North Rink

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM North Rink: Team White Practice

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Weight Room: Team White Off-Ice Conditioning

1:30 PM Weight Room: Optional Stretch and Cool-Down

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Media Availability/Lunch

For those who plan to attend: GET THERE EARLY. Parking is limited, and the walk can be a ridiculous distance if you don't get on site in a timely manner. Of course, people will be coming and going throughout the day, but the Brandon Ice Sports Forum doesn't have the parking on-site that compares to the crowd that will turn out for this.

Food and beverages will be available on site.

Of course, you might be wondering about team blue and team white's roster make-up.  As of this writing,t his has not been settled.  The players will be divided into 3 groups on Friday for testing.  Those groups will be merged into two, and compose the Blue and White teams.

Will you be attending the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2011 training camp?