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Young goaltenders relish competition

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 8, 2000

BRANDON -- Lightning training camp opens Saturday at the Ice Sports Forum with two flashy, young goaltenders, no clear-cut No. 1 or sense of how their playing time will be split.

All the signs point to a soap opera, but Dan Cloutier and Kevin Weekes said Thursday their relationship will be competitive, not combative.

"People are going to make a big deal that we're going to compete," Cloutier said. "Sure, we want to play more, but we're also here to help each other."

Weekes said: "I always like to get along with my partner. He's the only one who knows what I'm going through, and I'm the only one who knows what he's going through. As long as there are two goalies here, we're both part of the equation."

Cloutier, 24, and Weekes, 25, have been on good terms since their days in the Ontario Hockey League. Cloutier played for Sault St. Marie, Weekes for Owen Sound and Ottawa.

"We got along real well, and it's only going to grow," Weekes said. "He seems to be a pretty easygoing guy and I know I'm an easygoing guy, and that just makes for a good situation."

Weekes likens the situation to when he and Kings goalie Jamie Storr played for Owen Sound, and the talk was there wasn't enough playing time on the team for both of them.

"But we played together and got along really well, and we learned from one another," Weekes said. "We grew together. We experienced things together. We competed not against one another, but for one another and the benefit of the team."

"We're going to help each other," Cloutier said. "The more wins we get, the better it is for both of us."

ZYUZIN HURT: Andrei Zyuzin may not be ready for camp because of a sprained right ankle. The limping defenseman said he was jogging Monday, stepped into a road gutter and rolled the ankle.

The injury is frustrating for Zyuzin, who missed last season's final 41 games because of a shoulder injury that required surgery.

"I feel so sad and so bad, I don't know what to say about it," he said.

YOGI HURT: Forward Yaroslav Svejkovsky is out three to six weeks after Tuesday's arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to clean out bone chips.

Team spokesman Bill Wickett said Svejkovsky irritated the knee while working out. The surgery was performed in St. Louis by Dr. Rick Lehman.

FIGHT AGAINST FAT: Dwayne Hay took the title of leanest veteran. The 6-foot-1, 183-pound left wing came in at 3.9 percent body fat. Center Vinny Lecavalier (6-4, 205) came in at 4.1.

Head athletic trainer Dave Boyer said all the players are in generally better shape than last year.

"We've got a lot of guys coming in at a better percentage of body fat," he said.

And, he added, "We got rid of some guys who, in my mind, were just tagging along for the ride."

ODDS AND ENDS: Defenseman Pavel Kubina did not report because of visa problems leaving his native Czech Republic. He is expected tonight. ... Pearl Jam is the most popular band among Lightning players, who were asked by the team to list their favorites as well as requests for pregame music at the Ice Palace. The most interesting suggestion came from center Wayne Primeau, who requested Who Let the Dogs Out by the Baha Men.

LIGHTNING CAMP

WHERE: Ice Sports Forum, Brandon.

REPORT DATES: Today -- rookies.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: 10 a.m.-noon daily Saturday-Sept. 21, except Tuesday and Thursday, when practice is 8-10 a.m.; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 22-30. Schedule subject to change.

ADMISSION: Free.

PRESEASON SCHEDULE: Sept. 16 -- vs. Carolina Hurricanes at TECO Arena, Estero, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 -- vs. Carolina Hurricanes at Ice Palace, 6 p.m. Sept. 19 -- vs. Washington Capitals at Ice Palace, 7 p.m. Sept. 21 -- vs. Florida Panthers at Ice Palace, 7 p.m. Sept. 26 -- vs. Florida Panthers at TECO Arena, Estero, 7:30 p.m.

INFORMATION: Call the Ice Palace at (813) 301-6500.

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