Tampa Bay Lightning all smiles after impromptu camp in Estero

Estero, Florida (News-Press) -- With beach volleyball, golfing and yoga at the Ritz Carlton wrapped around four hockey practices while in Southwest Florida, Tampa Bay Lightning players and coaches feel they accomplished their goals of team bonding as well as good workouts and learning coach Guy Boucher's systems.

"We had three goals and we met them," said Boucher of the team's preseason camp at Germain Arena that ended Thursday. "Look who's making the team, getting in game shape and developing chemistry. We did everything we wanted to do."

"I wish we could do this all the time," star forward Steven Stamkos added. "It's a way for guys to get closer to each other and have fun. We know when we come to the rink, we have work to do. But there's also fun activities."

Could this lead to more Lightning training camps in Estero, home of the minor league hockey team the Florida Evernblades? Boucher smiled and said he didn't want to put any pressure on general manager Steve Yzerman.

"But I love it," he said. "It's a great environment, the hotel we're at, the people we know are here with it being an East Coast League affiliate. Home is great but when we're not home, it's a great place to be, it definitely is."

Everblades president and general manager Craig Brush said he and Yzerman will talk more about that possibility in the next month.

"They gotta want to do it," he said. "It also has to fit into our schedule. We have Disney On Ice in September. There's all sorts of details. If we could, we would. The fans loved it, no question."

About 300 fans per day attended the workouts. Brush's staff handed out two free vouchers to any Everblades game Thursday to each fan who attended.

LIGHTNING MAKE CUTS: Former Florida Everblade Mike Angelidis was among players cut by Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The Lightning will carry 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

Among the last two players who made the team were forwards Cory Conacher and Pierre-Cedric Labrie. They played at Norfolk and Syracuse the past two seasons.

LEAVING HEALTH: Another thing the Lightning positively had happen in training camp was no injuries to their core that will keep them out of Game 1.

"That's one thing in training camp, guys pull something," Boucher said.

"Yeah, it's a relief, a major relief."