Roy's dedication pleases Tortorella

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published September 15, 2007

BRANDON - Andre Roy did everything coach John Tortorella asked during the first two days of camp.

He had moments when he struggled during the six three-lap sprints, three 15-lap skates and 3-mile run. But he pushed himself, and he finished.

Tortorella said that helped solidify his commitment to give the left wing more ice time early in the season: "The way he approached himself the first two days, the way he looks, has certainly opened that door."

"I want to show him that I'm ready to go and be part of this, get more ice time, be in different situations," Roy said Friday. "Over the summer, that's all I was thinking about, come in and make a good impression and maybe get some of his trust."

Roy, 32, had a goal, three points and 116 penalty minutes in 51 games last season after being claimed off waivers from the Penguins and averaged 4:27 of ice time.

Roy said Tortorella told him after the season that he wanted to use him more. So Roy said he worked with a nutritionist for the first time, lost 10 pounds to 221 and reduced his body fat from 18 to 9 percent.

"He knows I can play and bring more," said Roy, who had 10 goals for Tampa Bay in 2002-03 but just four in 131 games since. "It was good news to hear."

"I just think he's good for this hockey team," Tortorella said. "I need to try to give back a little bit here and give him a little more trust on the ice, too."

LUKOWICH OKAY: Brad Lukowich (left ankle tendinitis) participated in Friday's 15-lap skates and said he is ready to play in today's first scrimmage.

"It's a little sore, but we'll be fine," the defenseman said.

Lukowich left the ice during Thursday's six three-lap sprints after his skate hit a rut in the ice and "went the wrong way."

ENDURANCE TEST: Defenseman Doug Janik built on his success in the sprints with brilliant efforts on the 15-lap skates. Also impressive: forward Mathieu Darche, center Brad Richards and center Ryan Craig.

Defenseman Matt Smaby and right wing Jason Ward seemed to barely survive, but Tortorella said the key was they finished.

"They didn't give in to it," he said. "They didn't glide."

That was especially important for Smaby, who got a tap on the pads from Tortorella's stick as he knelt on the ice.

"I said, 'I don't care about your time,'" Tortorella said. "He couldn't get through it last year and barely got through it this year, but he didn't quit. I saw a different player get through it."

[Last modified September 14, 2007, 20:16:43]