“Hell Week” Rolls on for Bobcats
BISMARCK, ND – The Bismarck Bobcats are through two days of the most intense week of the entire year: Hell Week, an off-ice training regimen constructed by the team’s director of fitness and athletic enhancement Mike Salwei at Healthways Gym.
“This is my third Hell Week, and it never gets any easier,” admitted veteran Bobcat forward Evan Giesler, who went through his first training camp in 2012. “It’s a punishing week, but anyone who’s been through it will tell you that it pays off down the stretch and into the playoffs.”
Giesler knows well of the program’s long-term payoff: after averaging 0.62 points per game in the regular season, his postseason production has spiked to 1.08 PPG over the past two years.
The third-year Bobcat was the big winner at Healthways Tuesday, topping second-year defenseman Tony German in the bench press event.
Hell Week is also a competition among the players, with a trophy awarded to the player who amasses the most points over the five days. Forward Filip Starzynski—now in the WCHA at Northern Michigan University—won the previous two Hell Week titles.
“One of my favorite parts about Hell Week is the competition aspect,” added Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie. “Being such intense competitors really brings out the best in each of our guys because everyone wants the crown.
“Not only that, but this week usually shows you who your team leaders are. I remember four years ago Matt Gates, who had never played a game in our program, walked in and was a leader from day one at Healthways and earned the 'C' on his jersey.”
Gates would go on to play at the University of Alaska (WCHA).
Hell Week continues for the remainder of this week; the players will hit the ice over the weekend in preparation for the preseason, where they will travel to Minot on September 11 before hosting the Minotauros on September 13.
The Bobcats will open the 2014-15 campaign on September 17 against the Soo Eagles at the Easton NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn., with Coors Light Opening Night to follow on September 27 as the Cats host the Austin Bruins in a rematch of the last three Central Division Finals.
With the 2014-15 season arriving soon, demand for season tickets is at an all-time high; fans who want to lock in their seats for the entire campaign should call the Bobcat office at 222-3300 today!