Many National Hockey League teams enjoy the benefit of having their AHL affiliate close by to their parent team, whether it is a quick drive or a short flight.
The Sharks are not one of them, but that wont prevent general manager Doug Wilson and the entire coaching staff from attending the Worcester (Mass.) Sharks training camp this week.
Wilson confirmed to CSNCalifornia.com that he, head coach Todd McLellan, associate coach Larry Robinson, and assistants Jim Johnson and Jay Woodcroft would be flying to the East Coast this week to take in the AHL camp as well as exhibition games on Oct. 4, 5 and 7.
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The NHL lockout is entering its third week with no real end in sight, providing Wilson and the newly revamped coaching staff the time to evaluate some of the teams top prospects in person.
Of course, a number of the Worcester Sharks would have been in San Jose for NHL camp, had it started on time on Sept. 21. Instead, players like Freddie Hamilton, Alex Stalock, John McCarthy, James Sheppard, Taylor Doherty and Matt Irwin will ply their wares in the best league in North America thats still open for business.
Worcester, under the guidance of head coach Roy Sommer, opens the 2012-13 season on Oct. 12 in Norfolk, VA.