Thrashers' Esposito faces another post-surgery training camp

Angelo Esposito has been through this before: For the second consecutive year, he enters Thrashers training camp following surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

As much as any hockey player doesn’t want to become an expert in the long rehabilitation process, and deal with the accompanying physical and emotional pain, Esposito has learned from his trials.

This camp will be different for it.

“When I’m out on the ice skating, I know my feet are back under me,” Esposito said heading into Monday's start of rookie camp. “The last year went a lot quicker. I’m starting to get that bounce. It’s starting to come, which is good.”

Esposito first tore his ACL in a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game 19 months ago. Recovered and assigned to Chicago of the American Hockey League, he tore the same ACL in November after 12 games.

Esposito, 21, returned to Atlanta, had surgery in December and the second rehab process began.

“I felt different right away,” the forward said. “I was rehabbing the next day [after the injury]. Right off the bat, I already knew what it was going into it. Right off the bat, I was doing things before surgery so I would feel better right away."

When the offseason arrived, Esposito had finished his rehabilitation. He roomed with Thrashers defenseman Zach Bogosian in Atlanta throughout the summer and worked to regain his strength and condition. He worked out for three weeks with AHL Chicago skating and skills coach Kenny McCudden in Chicago. He went home to Canada for two and half weeks for a break. Otherwise, Esposito has been working toward training camp.

“The knee is feeling pretty good,” Esposito said. “I feel a lot more confident when I skate on the ice. It’s looking good for me. I don’t even worry about the ice out there."

After four days of rookie camp, Esposito likely will be invited to training camp that begins Saturday. A busy offseason for the Thrashers will bring plenty of competition to make the final roster. A mix of veterans and organizational prospects, including Esposito, will be pared down. As the 20th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Esposito was considered a major part of the Marian Hossa trade with Pittsburgh in 2008, but the knee injuries have derailed his advancement to the NHL.

Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley said several younger players have been unnerved by the offseason moves and what they mean to their chances of making the team. Coach Craig Ramsay, who has not watched much of the voluntary on-ice summer workouts, said his roster decisions will be made during training camp and preseason games.

Esposito had four assists in his 12 AHL games last season, and a return to that level is a possibility. However, Esposito is not conceding anything when it comes to the Thrashers.

“Like everyone else here, I’m here to earn a roster spot,” Esposito said. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to get myself a spot."

Prospect evaluation

The Thrashers begin a four-day rookie camp on Monday. The schedule at the IceForum practice facility in Duluth, with on-ice  workouts free and open to the public, is as follows:

Monday

Practice, 12:30-1:30 p.m.