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NEW YORK ISLANDERS MINI-CAMP - DAY 2

Jun 28, 2007

# 37 - Sean Bentivoglio
The past year has been one of firsts for Sean Bentivoglio who began is professional career with the Providence Bruins last season. His first pro game and assist on March 14, goal on March 24 and this past summer signed his first professional contract with the New York Islanders on May 20.

"To have this opportunity to come out here and play for a first class organization in New York and participate in Mini-Camp with a lot of skilled players is an all-around great experience, Bentivoglio said.

Before his thus far brief professional career began, Bentivoglio had an impressive college career piling up 132 points over the course of 145 games with the Niagara Purple Knights. Four days before his first pro game, that college career came to an end when his Purple Knights were defeated by the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers.

"It was a great four years and I think the main thing I concentrated on was progressively becoming a better player," Bentivoglio said. "Last year was my best year and then to have the chance to play in Providence was a great opportunity."

Growing up in Thorold, ON, Canada, Bentivoglio grew up a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan idolizing Doug Gilmour. Bentivoglio, who stands the same height of his idol Gilmour at 5'11, models his play after Gilmour's gritty play.

"He was a game-breaking type of player," Bentivoglio said. "If he needed to go into the corners, score a goal or get under the opposition's skin, he did it."

For the rest of the off-season, Bentivoglio plans on taking some of the on and off ice drills back to Thorold, ON to continue his conditioning for Islanders Training Camp in September.

Interesting Moment at Camp
Yesterday's on-ice sessions were led by Islander assistant coach Dan Lacroix and Moncton Wildcats head coach Dan Flynn. Today both coaches were on the ice accompanied by Sound Tigers assistant coach Bernie Cassell who led the power-skating sessions today. Players were taken through specific positional drills that focused on maximizing their strides to gain the most speed possible. Defensemen were taken through drills that focused on pivoting, backward skating, puck retrievals from the corners shooting.

Watching the Amazins'
All players from the camp were treated to the Mets game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Who is Impressing
John Murray, a goalie in the Bossy Group, made a diving save on a two-on-none with Blake Comeau and Jeff Tambellini. Tambellini and Comeau played tic-tac-toe until they thought they could score on Murray. Comeau snapped a shot but Murray reached his stick in a last effort attempt to stop he puck and batted it out of mid-air. Tambellini made sure he Comeau had an ear full when they got back into line.

View from the Stands
Drew Fata was mic-ed by Islander TV so be sure to check out his comments on newyorkislanders.com.

What questions do you have or the players? Email me at kimber@sountigers.com