HARD LABOR COMING AFTER THE WEEKEND

As we laze through the long Labor Day weekend Stars prospects, veterans and new faces are cramming in workouts and ice sessions readying themselves for camps that begin September 10th with the Traverse City Prospects Tournament.

This is going to be one of those sandwich training camps when it comes to the personnel. We'll all be keenly watching the 'youngsters', while at the same time observing with curiosity 'the new boys'. In between, the returnees provide the meats, pickles and condiments. (A tasty Dagwood?)

Of course the other major point of interest will be watching the infancy of Glen Gulutzan's reign as head coach. He's just the fourth head man hired since the franchise moved to Texas in 1993 and he comes here with a gust of success-wind in his sail. Really looking forward to observing his style and systems. Everyone I've talked to, from scouts to opposing players to his own players to opposing coaches, all have the exact same evaluations of him - glowing.

The mantra since Joe Nieuwendyk was hired as GM has been be a "hard team to play against". That's what Gulutzan believes in. That's how his teams have played in past. That is what you Stars fans were weaned on. That's what will be expected of the 23 veterans, additions and rookies who make this squad.

Opportunities to impress begin next weekend.

Now back to your grills and coolers for a few days. Summer she is subsiding. Stars Hockey 2011-12 is almost here.