Joey Anderson went to the same rink in St. Paul, Minnesota that he frequented every summer for the past five or six years. However, once he hit the ice, his workouts drastically changed.
Anderson found himself training among other pro hockey players, who helped the Devils prospect prepare for his first pro season after signing with the Devils in April.
Just being around those types of skaters helped Anderson elevate his play and expectations.
“Guys want to be there. People that want to be as good as they can,” Anderson said. “T.J. Oshie was a guy in the group this summer and he just came off (the Washington Capitals’ Stanley) Cup win. It was a month and he was right back in the weight room, getting better. He was probably one of the most dedicated guys I saw.”
Anderson went through some different and excruciating strength and conditioning work, where his trainers expected him and others to fail in some exercises. But as the summer progressed, the gains were noticeable.
When Anderson reported to the Devils prior to the Prospects Challenge, he went through some of the same physical tests the Devils gave him prior to July’s development camp.
The results showed the difference. Anderson cranked out considerable improvements in his push-up and pull-up reps.