McIlrath & Bowman Talk about Rangers Rookie Camp

Big bruising Warriors defenceman Dylan McIlrath is currently at his second New York Rangers rookie camp.

McIlrath was the 10th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and says he's going in knowing what to expect this year.

"There's a lot of big guys trying to prove something. There's a lot of camp invites looking to make a roster spot. It's really physical and I like that type of hockey. There's a lot of skill and the speed of the game is so much faster so you have to be thinking twice as fast."

McIlrath says he's going to camp this year looking to send a message. "I got a taste of it last year, but this year I'm going to try and put it in the scouts brains that I can compete for a spot if not this year then next year. I'm just going to try and have my best camp as possible."

Warrior defenceman Collin Bowman is with McIlrath at Rangers rookie camp. This is Bowman's first camp in three years and he says it's going to take a lot for him to get noticed.

"For me, just ramping up the intensity and just working harder than everyone else. I have to make sure I'm playing a physical game and being steady without making to many mistakes."

Bowman says that it's nice to be able to attend a camp with McIlrath. "It's nice to have someone to show you the ropes. He's been to there camps specifically, he knows the schedule and knows what they expect."

Sunday was a busy day for the Warriors at rookie camps...

In Traverse City, McIlrath and Bowman led the Rangers rookies to a 6-2 win over Dallas. The Rangers are off today, tomorrow they take on Carolina.

Cody Beach had a penalty in St. Louis' 2-1 win over Carolina. In case you missed it on the weekend, Joel Edmundson sprained his ankle during Blue practice. St. Louis practices today and then plays Dallas tomorrow.

At the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton, BC.... Dallas Ehrhardt and the Flames rookies lost 6-1 to Thomas Heemskerk and the Sharks. Ehrhardt and the Flames play Vancouver tonight.

Kendall McFaull will get his first action of the Young Stars Tournament tonight as the Winnipeg Jet rookies take on San Jose.

Down in Florida, Quinton Howden and the Panther rookies beat Tampa 4-2 in their first game of a three team tournament. The Panthers will take today off before playing Nashville Tuesday and Tampa Bay again on Wednesday.