Behind The Net
Ryan Goes To Camp
By Bob Grove

Back when he was a teenager dreaming of following his father's footsteps and reaching the National Hockey League, Ryan Malone's home away from home was the Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa and Brainerd, Minn.

Under the watchful eye of owner Chuck Grillo, now in his seventh season as a Penguins scout, Minnesota Hockey Camps have provided a high level of training for players of all ages for more than 35 years. Malone never forgot his time there.

"I've been going there since I was 15, and it really made me the player I am," says the Penguins' 27-year-old left wing. "I used to go up there for six, seven, eight weeks. It was fun for me."

This off-season, Brainerd was on Malone's mind again - and not because he was having pangs of nostalgia. Instead, he wanted to jump-start his career. Malone had one point in the first seven games last season, and after breaking his wrist in late October and missing 18 games, he struggled with consistency.

"Ray (GM Shero) and (Michel) Therrien thought I didn't get off to a good start last year, and I wanted to come in and prove to them I'm willing to do whatever they want me to do," he said. "So this summer I figured, 'Why don't I go back there again and give it a shot?'"

A two-week stint with Grillo followed.

"It was pretty tough up there," Malone said. "Now that you're older, it kind of wears on your body because you're doing a lot of stuff per day, but it was great."

It was a summer of change on many levels for Malone, who also got married and paid extra attention to his diet. Maybe this whole Gary Roberts thing really is rubbing off.

"You gain experience every year in the league, on and off the ice, in the weight room, and you learn how to take care of yourself, and that can go a long way," said Malone. "I really cut back on any bad food. I tried to lose a couple pounds to see if it helped with the speed, and so far I feel pretty good. I've just got to show everybody I'm ready to go."

Malone showed up at camp weighing 215 pounds, down at least seven pounds from his playing weight last season, and people noticed. In the Penguins' preseason opener at Montreal, he scored a power-play goal - matching his output from last season.

"He's in great shape," Therrien said. "That's partly maturity, too. Ryan has grown in the last two years, and he's becoming a more professional player. That's part of maturity. It's a huge year for him."

It's a huge year because Malone will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and it's a huge year because the Penguins are asking for something a little different from Malone.

He was the team's leading goal-scorer as a rookie and was second in goals his sophomore season, but these days they're counting on him to be a responsible, noticeable member of a checking line that featured Jordan Staal at center and Colby Armstrong on the right wing in camp.

"That's something I learned at Brainerd, too. Chuck Grillo said you always need a backup game," Malone said, "and I thought if they want me to use my size and play physical, I can do that. I can play a little defensively."