ping pong table: The Inaugural Lost Mind: "Live Together, Die Alone" Revisited

July 29, 2006
Boxclocke

Lostaways, conspira-spies and Drive Shaft groupies rejoice: Blogcritics.org has a new column: The Lost Mind!

I will be writing in as frequently as possible to get you caught up to speed on the latest happenings in the world of the Lost, along with my own brand of commentary, and, once the new season starts, give you weekly episode recaps. Of course, I know I'm not the only one out there doing this. Due to the fanatical following the series has, there are already about a million different places online to get your Lost fix.

So you're probably wondering what I plan on bringing to the table to hold your attention for the time you should be spending configuring the Numbers onto a grid, or brushing up on your Dickens, or practicing your anagrams. What's my hook, my angle, my gimmick, my schtick? Well, if you're looking for major spoilers, celebrity drama, or "OMG Clare+Charlie=<3 4Evr," then look away. But if you want commentary on the production aspect of the show, studies of the mythology and story, and critiques of the episodes from someone with a screenwriting background, then you've found your man. And I've found an audience. And that's all we really want. Now, onto the matter and hand:

This week, the last week of July, marks roughly the halfway point of the summer hiatus. We're midway between the May 24 airing of the second season's finale, "Live Together, Die Alone," and the October 4 airing of the third season premiere, "A Tale of Two Cities." And what better excuse is there than a halfway point to revisit some of the mystery and excitement of the season finale you have TiVo'd?

Now, this is not intended to be an end-all, be-all collection of theories and tidbits about the episode. If you want a recap, or a comprehensive list of fan theories and other details, visit the episode's page on LostPedia. This is a chronological breakdown of some of the smaller curiosities that stood out to me in this repeat viewing. Stuff that I (and perhaps you too) might have missed the first time around while being baffled by the bigger stuff like the four-toed statue, but that I caught this time and can't quite shake the feeling that they're pretty significant to the story as a whole. If you've got a (legally obtained, of course) copy of the episode at hand, it might be fun to follow along. If not, here's a transcript.


Right after the first commercial break, Desmond says "we are stuck in a bloody snowglobe." Sound familiar?
Desmond mentions "hostiles" on the other side of the island rather offhandedly to Sayid. Inman mentions them later. Are these "hostiles" the Others? Is it Rousseau? Someone else entirely?
Libby mentions that her husband David "got sick." Any correlation to the injections and the Quarantine on the island? This lends credence to my theory that Libby has already had some experience on the island or somehow knew the plane was going to crash. I intend to write an entire article on that one in the future.
You know, I'm seriously beginning to think that the nets with the doll-traps aren't Rousseau's.
Upon second listening, that bird definitely did say his name. This moment is so out of the blue from the rest of the show, that my guess is that it is the see-the-monster-without-knowing-it moment that Damon and Carlton mentioned in the official Lost podcast before the show aired.
The Simpsons have four toes on each foot. I'm just saying.
So "Radzinsky made some edits" to the Orientation film. Does this have something to do with Kelvin considering the Others to be "hostiles"? By the way, I really don't think that the stain on the ceiling is Radzinsky. If it is, Inman killed him. But Radzinsky didn't kill himself.
Much has been made of the identity of the person that Sawyer shot. I think it's pretty clear that he's not an "Other" in the traditional sense. Personally, I'm in the camp that says it was Marvin Candle. How could he be the same age now that he was in 1980? Well, duh.
Hurley confronting Michael here is weak. Jorge does his best, but Hurley's just not very well written in this moment. In the post-episode podcast, Damon and Carlton admitted that this was probably the weakest scene in the episode, and since so much else had to happen in it (they deal with shooting a guy, they deal with Michael's betrayal, Jack explains he has a plan, etc.) Hurley's anger just sort of gets blown off. I'm inclined to agree that this is the weakest scene in the episode, but Hurley never gets a moment in the rest of the episode to show that anger. He had better be pissed off in the season premiere.
Desmond was discharged because he "couldn't follow orders." Is that a flashback set-up or what?
Eko says "open the door and I will forgive you." Locke gives a confused look before asking "forgive me for what?" Eko is a (sort of) priest, after all. It's part of his job to forgive sinners. I think that there is some other-worldly, religious thing going on with the Swan hatch and the button-pushing and the key-turning. I don't know what, but more on that later...
What of the seemingly abandoned Dharma station that Sayid finds? Since we don't really see much of Sayid any more after this point in the show — much like we didn't see the raft folks after the attack on the raft in "Exodus" — so my guess is that, like the rafties at the beginning of season two, we'll double back to explore more of what happened here within the first few episodes of season three.
Something must have moved the pile of pneumatic tubes. The way they were scattered about suggested that they had to have been interfered with, since if they all fell out of the pipe so close to the ground, they wouldn't have spread out like that. Something here isn't what it seems. Plus, if these are coming from the Pearl, what is the source of the vacuum?
Kate reads the phrase "0400 SR moves ping-pong table again," off one of the journals. My guess is that the "R" in "SR" is Radzinsky.

The whispering in the woods before the heroes get ambushed is worth mentioning because in one of the podcasts, Damon and Carlton carefully choose their words in describing how the whispers relate to the Others. They say that "we have been led to believe" (or something like that) the whispers are connected to the Others, which all but confirms that they are not.

The cheesy dot-matrix, sprocket-holed paper printout from the old computer equipment is exactly the kind of printout I deal with at my job (it's a shitty job). Let me tell you, the way those printers break down all the time if you're not careful, there is no way the Pearl was unmanned on 92204.
The half-deaf sound design when Charlie wakes up is what got the show nominated for the Sound Design Emmy. Did I mention that the show got screwed for Emmy nominations? 'Cause it did.
In what has to be the least subtle historical/mythological reference in the history of Lost or, indeed, television as a whole, a character named Penelope promises to "wait for you always."

In another moment that has me thinking there is something religious going on with the button-pushing and key-turning in the Swan, Des holds the keychain rather like a rosary when he's looking up to Locke at the hatch in the flashback. I'd dismiss it right away if he didn't later cross himself with the keychain, suggesting that he is indeed a Catholic, just before he turns the key.

Not-Henry is the only one who looks like he knows what's going on when the sky turns bright white. White, mind you, and not violet as Clare says.
By the way, I totally called it that the hatch would get blown up way back in, like, March. The losties went an entire season without having a hatch, and in the anything-goes take-nothing-for-granted style that Damon and Carlton and company have created this world... well... anything goes, and you can take nothing for granted. Especially something like shelter.

Charlie is acting really odd when he gets back to the beach. Could be a head injury, but when he says of Locke and Eko "they're not back yet?" it makes me wonder if he had some sort of spiritual experience with those two when the key was turned. Or, if there is no head injury and there is no spiritual experience, then it's just more awkward writing for the episode. Plus we know that Desmond, Locke and Eko are in season three, so wherever they are, they'll be coming back.
You never get a full shot of Walt. Presumably because Malcolm David Kelly isn't as young as he was back in the summer of '04. Damon and Carlton said at Comic-Con, however, that the issue of Walt's growth would be addressed, and they also suggested that time may pass differently on the island than in the rest of the world.
The number 7418880, which appears on the screen of the remote station computer, is 4*8*15*16*23*42. But you already knew that, right?
And there we have it. A second viewing of the second-season finale of Lost: "Live Together, Die Alone." Liked what I have to say? Have theories of your own about the finale? Think I should never do this again and it was a stupid idea? Let me know. I'd like for this column to be fairly interactive, letting your comments guide what kind of stuff appears in the articles. So, comment away. What else are you going to do with your time, look for code fragments?

Boxclocke is the pseudonym of Baylor Johnson, a student filmmaker and screenwriter at the University of Texas at Austin. His personal blog is The Boxclockery, part of The Workingchair.

ping pong table: Despite camp's success, its future is uncertain

As North Bay Village PAL's first summer camp draws to a close, the organizer, city officials and campers are happy with the results, but the status of a camp next year is still up in the air.
BY EMILY STEVENS
Miami Herald Writer
It has been a summer of firsts for North Bay Village Police Athletic League.

Not only did the PAL hold its first summer camp, but for many of the 45 or so children who participated, some outings marked their first experiences with activities like horseback riding and museum tours.

Consider a camp outing earlier this month to the ice rink at Miami Beach's Scott Rakow Youth Center: With wobbly legs and uncertain expressions, many of the children clung to the railing as they navigated their way on the ice. Some took their chances and attempted to skate unassisted -- many times slipping and sliding on the ice before falling down.

Experience was no guarantee of success, noted 10-year-old Mercedes Leguizamon.

''I've been [ice skating] a couple of times, but I'm not very good,'' she said. ``It's still fun, though.''

Leguizamon, who attends Biscayne Elementary, deemed most of the field trips to be ``fun.''

''Normally, I would be relaxing at my house watching TV, but I'd rather be here at camp,'' she said during the Rakow outing. ``Going bowling was my favorite [field trip] because it was fun making so many strikes and having fun with my friends.''

Victor Accove, an 11-year-old who attends Treasure Island Elementary, said his best camp memory is making new friends. Well, that and the field trip to Dave and Buster's, ``because there's so many games to play and so many prizes to win.''

The rave reviews are music to the ears of North Bay Village detective Lisa Gittner, a 15-year veteran of the department who has overseen the PAL since it was created last year. Memories of her childhood involvement with a PAL summer camp in the Bronx motivated her to create the camp.

Her family couldn't afford to send her to any of the other summer camps offered in that area, she says, so she was grateful for the police officers who took the time to find her a place in their PAL camp.

''I remember the day I was playing Ping-Pong with a police officer. I never imagined it would affect my life, but it came back full circle because now here I am playing Ping-Pong with them,'' she said, refering to her young campers this summer.

Aside from Ping-Pong and trips to area gaming centers, the children have also been horseback riding at Enchanted Forest Park in North Miami and gone to the movies and area museums. Gittner said she also tries to make sure even the days spent at the school aren't lacking in activities.

With funding from the North Bay Village Police Department, Gittner purchased two air hockey tables, two foosball tables, a pool table, a Ping-Pong table and water toys. She makes sure the snack cabinet stays stocked.

The campers also have had a luau, arts and crafts days, a water sports day -- including an inflatable pool and Slip-N-Slides -- and played numerous basketball tournaments at school.

'I said, `I'm gonna open a camp if it kills me,' and it almost did,'' Gittner said.

''I had to go out and buy all this stuff,'' she said in reference to the games set up in Room 24 at the school.

Funding for equipment, supplies, lunches, outings and insurance came from the city of North Bay Village and police department, and costs were offset by registration and weekly fees.

Most of the children in the camp live in North Bay Village, but some from Miami Beach attended if space was available.

Gittner said the funding was sufficient for this summer, but its future summers are uncertain.

''We need a lot of help from the community to keep this program going,'' she said. ``I have no permanent facility. I don't know if the principal will let us have the class again. Plus I'll have to put everything in storage at the end of the summer.''

For a memorable finale this week, Gittner plans an overnight canoeing and camping trip in Arcadia at Peace River, to be sponsored by the North Bay Village PAL and the Miami Rotary Club. Campers and their parents are invited to enjoy the outdoors and spend the night in sleeping bags inside cabins or tents -- all at no additional cost.

North Bay Village Mayor Joseph Geller said he was grateful for everyone who helped make the camp a success, calling it ''a great thing'' and ``a terrific opportunity for our citizens.''

''One of our focuses over the past few years has been trying to find things for our young people to do,'' he said. ``And having this camp that's open to anybody in North Bay Village is an opportunity for the kids to have some fun while being properly supervised; and parents can feel confident that their kids are safe.''

Commissioner Tzvi Bogomilski agreed, saying the camp is ``a major step for North Bay Village.''

''It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it because we've never had anything like this before,'' Gittner said. ``The turnout has been amazing.''

ping pong table: Father-son duo double their fun in BSSG

By JOHN LETASKY
Of The Gazette Staff

Whether they are playing with a paddle or a racket, be on the lookout for the Bradys this weekend.

The father-son duo of Lance and Ryan are doubles partners in both table tennis and tennis at the 21st annual Big Sky State Games. They are both also entered in singles in table tennis.

The Bradys will be playing table tennis at Rocky Mountain College and tennis at Pioneer Park. It is the third time Lance, 50, has competed in the BSSG and the fifth time for Ryan, 18. Both have interesting reasons for participating.

"For me I'm usually a spectator and I always like watching," said Lance, who is a civil engineer for the Bureau of Land Management. "It's just fun. I know a lot of people and a lot of kids playing and I enjoy watching them. As far as why I'm playing this year, I guess he (Ryan) conned me into it."

"I play for similar reasons (as my father)," said Ryan, who graduated from Billings West this spring and plans to attend Montana State. "I know a lot of people and a lot of my friends play. It's another event to compete against them. Also, it helps me know athletes from other cities I might play against in tennis."

While the Bradys have never played in a table tennis tournament, they did play tennis together two years ago at the BSSG and, according to Lance, it was the "first and only time we played tennis together."

Although they have limited experience playing in tourneys together, it's not like the Bradys are not up to the task. Ryan played varsity tennis all four years he was at West, including three years in doubles. This past season West tied for the Class AA boys team championship with Bozeman. Ryan and doubles partner Jacob Ness helped the Bears' charge with a fourth-place showing.

"We just thought it would be a fun thing to do," said Ryan of entering BSSG. "Just get a little practice in and give it a go for better or for worse."

At their home, the Brady's have a ping pong table in the basement and they go through periods where they play a lot of games every night. Ryan said that regardless of the outcome, the games are still a challenge and enjoyable.

"Ryan usually wins," said Lance. "I'll have a spell where I win more than half. Those are kind of rare. I try to win one or two games out of 12.

"I never wanted to keep score with Ryan until he was competitive with me, and before long he was regularly beating me and that was probably five years ago."

Although at these BSSG table tennis is played indoors in air conditioned comfort and tennis outside in temperatures approaching 100 degrees, the sports do offer certain similarities and differences.

"I think a little table tennis can help regular tennis," said Lance. "It requires a quick reaction and hand-eye coordination. Of course you aren't moving with your legs as much. I don't see tennis helping table tennis skills as much."

"I find a lot of tennis players more so than other athletes play table tennis," said Ryan. "Both sports help each other with respect to following the spin of the ball and the hand-eye coordination. Also, the sports just how they look. Table tennis is just like tennis but on a smaller scale and that's why tennis players are attracted to table tennis and vice-versa."

At these BSSG, Ryan is expecting a good showing from him and his father. That competitive nature will serve him well in college intramural activities such as tennis, table tennis and chess.

"I know a lot of the other kids who have played in the Big Sky State Games for table tennis and I'd like to think I'm better," said Ryan. "It will be fun."


Published on Sunday, July 16, 2006.
Last modified on 7/16/2006 at 1:50 am


Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises.

ping pong table: Table tennis draws players of all ages

7/8/2006 12:28 PM
By: Adam Shub, News 14 Carolina


CHARLOTTE -- It's not the ping-pong you played in your basement. The U.S. Open table tennis championships wrap up Saturday night at the Charlotte Convention Center, and for its participants, the game is much more than a hobby.

Tim Boggan has written six volumes on the history of table tennis that spans back to the first tournament in 1923. The game now reaches more than 200 countries and players of all ages.

“We have a guy playing here that’s 86 years old,” Boggan said. “We have a guy who’ll actually be 90 next year and he plays well.”

Table tennis is not just for older players. There are plenty of kids hoping to walk out with some prize money. Michael Landers, 11, says he learned to play from his father.

“He got a ping-pong table at the house, and when I was really small … I used to hit a lot,” he said.

In all, $50,000 in prize money will be awarded.

ping pong table: Teens win club improvement funds

Thursday, July 6, 2006

Intrepid Keystone Club member Leah Mulrenan paints the one of the club's pool tables as part of their games room renovation project.

Woburn teens win AMEX sponsored video contest

Teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Woburn's Intrepid Keystone Club were one of only five groups around the country to win the "My Club's Future" video contest sponsored by American Express and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The program offered Boys & Girls Clubs across the country the opportunity to submit videos with ideas on how to improve their local chapter. One winner was selected from each of the five designated regions across the United States to receive a $5,000 cash award. More than 100 entries were submitted for consideration. The video produced by the Woburn teens with cooperation from the Woburn Public Media Center focused on improving their games room.



Club member Leah Mulrenan represented the Club at Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Conference recently held in Boston for the award presentation.

Mulrenan and fellow Keystone Club members and staff worked diligently last weekend, prior to the first day of the club's summer session, to put their winnings to work. With funds in hand, they were able to purchase a new ping pong table, new foosball table, new games table, a variety of board games and new games room equipment and supplies. In addition to the new games, the club's pool tables were painted and recovered, an additional table was refinished, the club's games room counter was tiled and repainted and a fresh coat was paint was added.

"The Keystoners and staff did an amazing job pulling everything together in a short period of time to make their games room look really special, said Ron Chieves, the club's new assistant director. "The kids who came into the building for the first day of summer were incredibly excited. It shows how invested our teens are in their club and how much they care about it."

The "My Club's Future" video contest is part of a multi-faceted program by American Express to support the organization during its Centennial anniversary. The program, including contributions to the national organization as well as local clubs, will help BGCA to achieve its mission of providing a positive place for kids across the country. "American Express' long-standing support of our organization has truly had an indelible impact on BCGA at both a national and local level," said Evan McElroy, national vice president, marketing and communications, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We're honored to have the support of American Express, their merchants and their card members to continue our work in being The Positive Place for Kids."

"American Express has for many years been a proud supporter of Boys & Girls Club of America and we share in the celebration of this tremendous milestone," said Lisa Gregg, vice president, marketing, American Express Establishment Services. "The work that BCGA carries out across the country has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of children and we are delighted to help that continue into their next hundred years.

"At the local level, American Express is pleased to sponsor the 'My Club's Future' contest. Each submission showed incredible creativity in demonstrating the needs of their club. We know the awards will go a long way in helping to fulfill the specific needs of these clubs."

ping pong table: PROSPECTS RECEIVE REAL NHL EDUCATION AT CAMP

When the New York Rangers coaching staff discusses long-range plans for bringing prospects up through the team's developmental system, the focus is often on arming talented young players with as much information as possible before they are introduced to the NHL.

"We talked about how we want to play as the New York Rangers, and the areas we want to prioritize in terms of exposing young prospects to what it takes to be an NHL player, and in particular, a New York Ranger," said head coach Tom Renney of one such meeting held at the end of the 2005-06 season.

That season-ending meeting helped set the stage for this year's Prospect Development Camp at the Madison Square Garden Training Center. Thirty young men who dream of one day wearing the Rangers' jersey as NHLers have spent the past week pushing themselves to the limit at this camp, and they all feel their participation has brought them one step closer to realizing their dreams and becoming even better hockey players.

Tom Pyatt, a fourth-round draft pick in 2005, is known for being one the best conditioned players in the Rangers organization, not just among the prospects. He represented Team Canada in the 2006 World Junior Championship tournament, and credits the Blueshirts' 2005 prospects camp for helping him reach that goal. Even though he's in great shape to begin with, Pyatt said he still feels the rigors of such an intensive camp.

"Monday was a tough day with the on and off ice fitness testing, but it helps you get stronger," Pyatt said. "We have had some really good workouts and it's a great learning experience. It's been a great week"

Lewiston MAINE-iac star Marc-Andre Cliché, drafted in the second round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, also took part in his second prospects camp this year, and he agreed with Pyatt's assessment.

"I think this is really great because we are taught the correct techniques in here to reach the next level," said Cliche. "It's a chance for a lot of us to get the experience we need."

Cliche also spoke about the respect each player has for the Rangers staff, including Special Assistant Adam Graves, who is one of the camp's instructors.

"To be on the ice with Graves, it's unbelievable," said Cliche. "He's a great guy and I love him. He loves to teach us about his experiences, and he was such a great player. It's a great opportunity and he's taught me a lot of things."

The feeling is mutual for Graves, who said he has really been impressed with this year's crop:

"These kids want to be here. They want to come to this facility every day to train to play at Madison Square Garden and be a Ranger," said Graves, who played 772 career games for the Blueshirts. We hope to get the right structure in place to get each player to commit themselves to getting there and being the best they can be."

University of Maine graduate Greg Moore is another player who has taken advantage of the prospects camp over the past few years.

"This is my third summer at camp and I have learned a lot of things that have helped improve my game," says the 6-foot-1 forward who grew up in Maine. "Even the smallest little things from the coaches on the ice can have a huge impact on your game. They have especially stressed an outstanding work ethic both on and off the ice. It's a standard that definitely helps. It builds my motivation for the summer and brings a lot of confidence to a lot of players who come in here and play with their peers. We know we've been in a Rangers camp, and now can go home and play with our competitive peers that we have played with before and play with a better level of confidence."

Goaltender Chris Holt participated in his fourth camp this year, even though he's just 21 years old. The only player at the camp with NHL experience, he has taken a huge step in his development by becoming both a leader on and off the ice for his peers.

"I've been talking to the young guys a lot," said Holt. "They all want to know what its like up there. They want to know what its like during the season, how all the guys are, what the locker room is like, and everything that comes with playing in the National Hockey League. This is the first year I have felt like a leader, and I am hoping to steer these guys in the right direction."

If he has his way, Holt has helped to reinforce the need for fitness, which has been the top priority at this camp.

"Fitness is always the number goal here at these camps," Holt explains. "It should be the number one priority for all these guys, myself included especially. Personally, after last year's camp [Strength and Conditioning Coach] Reg Grant and the coaches helped me make my weight, and I lost a bit more than twenty pounds to get where the coaches wanted me to be."

For many prospects, this camp marked the first time they have been on the ice since the end of their junior, college or European seasons, and they all say it feels great to be back on the ice.

"We are doing a lot of flow drills," says defenseman Michael Sauer, the 40th overall pick in the 2005 draft. "We worked on a lot of passing and shooting the first few days, and now it's been a lot of battle drills. Fighting for the puck along the boards and in front of the net, and positioning yourself along with your opponent. We have had a some really good workouts."

Brodie Dupont, one of two Rangers third-round draft picks in 2005, said he's extremely grateful for the Prospect Development Camp.

"They makes you realize what it takes to make it at the NHL level, and last year's (camp) helped raise my game a bit," says the star center for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, who netted 30 goals for the first time in his career and more than doubled his scoring totals from the previous year. "I'm coming in here this year looking for advice. My mindset is obviously these guys are here for a reason, so I'm going to ask them a lot of questions."

Hugh Jessiman, the Rangers' first-round pick in 2003, is another fan of the camp.

"This is my third camp, and I am a stronger player both physically and mentally as a result," he said. "It really has been good for me because it gives me a chance to soak up a lot of what they are saying and use it the rest of the summer. It's always been very useful for me."

Lauri Korpikoski, the Rangers' second of two first-round selections in 2004, has a unique perspective on this year's camp. That's because last year at this time, he was getting ready to enter the Finnish Army, where he served from July until January.

"The army was a little bit tougher, but this camp is right up there," said Korpikoski. "They work us really hard, but it will pay off."

For Bobby Sanguinetti, the Blueshirts' first pick in this year's draft, the camp has been the latest stop on the non-stop roller coaster ride that was the last week and a half.

"It's been crazy running around with the travel from Vancouver," said the New Jersey native. "At the draft you are anxious to see where you are going, and then you find out and relax for a bit but then you are on the move again. But I am happy to be here. I am a little tired because they are working us real hard, but it is really great to be here."

Sanguinetti said he hopes to one day play alongside many of his fellow campers in the NHL.

"There are a lot of guys from the junior leagues," he said, "and it's the elite from each team. Everyone here is the best player on his respective team. They are bigger and stronger, some are older, but I still have a little time to improve and work on what I need to. It shows where I am at this point of my development and what I need to work on."

Amidst all the hard work and pressure, the kids still know how to enjoy their downtime. Moore has been the man to beat on the Ping-Pong table, while Sanguinetti and his former Owen Sound teammate Trevor Koverko have played countless games of pool. The players have also watched the World Cup soccer matches whenever they can, whether it is Marc Staal catching a game while working out, or Ryan Russell joining Rangers assistant captain Darius Kasparaitis to watch a game on the big-screen TV in the players' lounge.

There have also been some lighthearted moments on the ice. Everyone laughed as Graves and assistant coach Mike Pelino fought along the boards for the puck, or when Graves had to sprint down the ice after being stoned by Goaltender Miika Wiikman.

And on Friday, as Holt was turning aside shot after shot from the likes of Moore, Brandon Dubinsky, and Cliché, it was Pelino who managed to net the first goal. The assistant coach had fun with the moment – pumping his fist in excitement.

"It's a real aggressive camp," said Dubinsky. "They work us really hard but its good to get us into shape. It's something we all have to work on and I think I am getting prepared to make the next leap."

The players know they are under the constant watch of the Rangers' front office and coaching staff at camps like this one. Seated above the rink, Renney, President and General Manager Glen Sather, and Assistant General Manager Don Maloney closely eye the talent they have amassed over the past few seasons.

The timetable for each player's arrival on the Rangers' NHL roster is different, although those who have been in the system for a longer period of time are more likely to see action next season.

"It depends when you have been in," said Renney. "There have been guys who have been in camp three or four years ago, and that's realistic. I would say the evolution is somewhere in between three or four years before a draft prospect should be with the Rangers. There might be a surprise or two and we're always ready for that. We are always excited about surprises, and there certainly could be a couple."

One of those surprises came last year, in fact. In just a few months, Petr Prucha went from Development Camp prospect to a high-scoring Rangers regular.

"Last year we had Prucha at this camp and we all know the year he had," Pelino said. "We are keeping our fingers crossed that there is another Prucha out there and, hopefully, there will be a few of these guys knocking on the door come September."