EDMONTON - It is called the U-test, and the Edmonton Oilers who have taken it do not speak of it fondly. "It puts fear in everyone," said defenceman Ryan Whitney.
The test is a signature of head coach Tom Renney, and any Oiler returning from an injury has to take it. Simulating 45-second shifts, it is a leg-burning exercise that Renney uses to determine whether or not a player is physically ready to move back into the lineup. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/Returning+Oilers+take+their+turn/6087747/story.html
Shacks' Take: Tom Renney must have learned this trick from his days coaching junior hockey. There's no way this would fly with a veteran team. Professionals should be treated as such. The culture within the locker room should make them want to maintain their physical fitness and if they don't, they are probably not the kind of player that will help you win a cup. What's next? Jogs around the rink in full equipment after losses? I think Tom Rennie has about 1 year max left with this young group as he still doesn't seem to get the nuances of how to treat professional players and how to create an atmosphere that makes the players demand accountability from themselves and each other.
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