Training camp is all about building team chemistry which the Arizona Coyotes will do through their trip to Australia.
The Arizona Coyotes traveled to Australia this week as the they will play the Los Angeles Kings in two preseason games in Melbourne.
Do the Coyotes actually have an advantage by being in Australia?
Training camp and preseason are all about building chemistry and increasing team bonding in preparation for the regular season.
The Coyotes will have a lot of fresh faces this season including Jason Zucker, Sean Durzi, Logan Cooley, Matt Dumba and Alexander Kerfoot so it's critical the team gets on the same page and begins to build a strong comradery with each other.
While the flight to Australia was abnormally long, Zucker feels that going to Australia is an opportunity the team should not take for granted.
"I think this puts us at a massive advantage, having this team bonding, especially with some of the new guys," Zucker said.
On top of the on-ice training that the Coyotes have done since coming to Australia, players also have had the opportunity to bond outside of the rink.
This sort of trip is a unique experience for any team let alone the Coyotes. Arizona is beginning to preach and emphasize culture in the organization, something they will further establish through this trip.
“Coach gets his team right off the hop. Normally, there’s 50 guys and you’re tripping over each other and figuring out this and that,” General Manager Bill Armstrong said. “Right away, you’re down to the numbers and you’re off to Australia on a plane to bond together. I think just being together in that short period of time, traveling together, going through a little bit of adversity in 17 hours there and the way back, I think it will bond us.”
The Coyotes are set to play Los Angeles on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday Sept. 23.