Chat-World » have been there on the first day of training camp are

QUEBEC CITY -- On Friday night, the Team North America players found a Quebec City restaurant for a team dinner and a viewing of the intense World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament game between USA and Canada.And really for the first time in this training camp, the divide between the Canadians and Americans on the team surfaced. There was good-natured ribbing after goals and, even though they might be facing off against their own countrymen at some point in this tournament, guys were openly cheering for their native teams.I was still rooting for America, said Jack Eichel, who hails from North Chelmsford, Massachusetts. I played for the U.S. enough that I always root for U.S. The only time I wouldnt root for them was if they were playing against our team.Its tough to cheer for a team youre going to play against. At the same time, if youre American or Canadian, its hard not to cheer, said forward Johnny Gaudreau of Carneys Point, New Jersey. I caught myself as the U.S. scored, I was cheering, got up a little bit. Its tough when you see USA and they score, its tough not to get excited. Its a weird situation.While rooting preferences might have been divided at dinner, this team has come together nicely as a group considering the players have no traditional connection other than they all happen to be under 24 years old.The cliques that might have been there on the first day of training camp are gone. The players have made an effort to eat as many meals together as possible when away from the rink. The coaches have done a good job incorporating fun, competitive team-bonding drills at the end of practice to help the cause.On Friday, it was a 3-on-3 drill with two nets pushed close together at center ice; on Saturday, it was a quick shootout competition. Just small things to build up camaraderie on a team that is bonding nicely.When the leadership group was announced before Thursdays game, it was noticed on the outside that the captain (Connor McDavid) and alternates (Aaron Ekblad and Sean Couturier) came up through Hockey Canada and there wasnt any USA Hockey representation joining a Canadian-heavy coaching staff and management group.Head coach Todd McLellan seemed surprised that anyone was keeping track.Never once have we sat down and said that theres a border, McLellan said. Theres nothing political about what were doing as a team.Inside the room? It was a nonissue.It doesnt really matter. As a group, we want to have leaders all around the room, not just guys with letters, said Brandon Saad of Pittsburgh, who certainly could have been part of the leadership group. Whether you have one or not, youre going to play the same way and act the same way.And, as Saad pointed out, the Canadians are outnumbered on the roster.If you count, I think we have more Americans on the team, he said, smiling. (For the record, there are 13 Americans and 10 Canadians.)Defenseman Colton Parayko of St. Albert, Alberta, said the players have done such a good job putting their natural allegiances behind them that hes not even sure he could accurately identify where each of his teammates was born.One week into this thing and the concerns about bonding are gone. You can see it on the ice and feel it in the dressing room while watching the players interact.Theres not a wall built, McLellan said. We belong to the hockey world, Team North America, and theres absolutely nothing to do with the flags of either country. C. J. Cron Jersey . 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Reyes was traded to Toronto and then Colorado, which released him last month after Reyes served a 59-day domestic violence suspension.Major League Baseball imposed the penalty after Reyes got involved in an altercation with his wife last October that initially resulted in a criminal charge, later dropped. Reyes signed a minor league contract with the Mets last weekend and is expected to join the big league team soon.I feel like what he did was awful, terrible, theres just no other way around it. Wright said Friday. Hes done what he can do to earn a second chance. If hes going to be given a second chance, I think this is a good place for him. I think hes comfortable here. II think this is home for him.dddddddddddd And again, I cant say it enough, what he did is something that is horrible and should never have done. So I hope that hes learned his lesson.A four-time All-Star shortstop, Reyes has shifted to third base in the Mets minor league system and could take over the position while Wright recovers from surgery last month to repair a herniated disk in his neck. Wright said Friday that he may not return from the surgery until 2017 .Ive talked to him a lot recently. Hes asked some questions about third base, said Wright, the Mets captain. I think hes going to bring up a ton of energy, and I think thats something that we could really use, his dynamic on field, his speed, his charisma. I think his ability, what he brings to the baseball field, is something that could really be a kind of pick me up for this team and the fans. ' ' '