Right wing trying to make 23-man roster Capitals forward Jay Beagle always knew how important a strong training regimen was to a potential career in professional hockey. Even while playing in college at the University of Alaska-Anchorage he made that a priority between seasons.
But like most college kids around North America, Beagle couldn’t exactly afford to hire his own personal trainer. Now, he can. Beagle and teammate Karl Alzner spent their summer in a gym they dubbed “The Vault,” working with Calgary-based strength trainer Steve Seville. The dividends are already paying off for both.
“I always wanted [a trainer] and just didn’t have enough money to be able to do it,” Beagle said. “I wanted a good trainer, too, not just anyone. I had met a lot of guys who trained six or seven hockey players at a time. I wanted more of a personal guy … just because when you work in a group you lose sight of your individual needs.”
Alzner put the work in, too, but wasn’t worried about a roster spot after signing a two-year, $2.57 million contract extension in July. Beagle, on the other hand, has a good opportunity to crack the 23-man roster with several veterans leaving and maybe earn consistent playing time on the fourth line. With a reputation for fitness that precedes him, Beagle was going to be ready to take advantage. Alzner saw that work ethic as a positive. Working with Seville, who runs a company called Absolute Training Potential, they crafted diet and workout programs that would serve them well throughout the 2011-12 season.
“Definitely a sight to see watching [Beagle] train. He’s worked so hard,” Alzner said. “Let’s say we’re on the row machine and he finishes 1,000 meters. He gets up just dead tired, opens the door and he’ll start gagging outside because he’s going so hard. He’s just one of those guys, whereas I’m more that guy that slowly, gradually keeps the same pace the entire way.”
The 6-foot-3 Beagle, now at 215 pounds after a season spent closer to 205, is pushing for the right wing spot on a fourth line with Jeff Halpern and Matt Hendricks. He has 41 games of NHL experience — something rookies Cody Eakin and Mattias Sjogren can’t say. His ability to play center in a pinch won’t hurt, either. Last spring, Beagle was with the Caps but didn’t appear in any playoff games. After the team’s second-round playoff exit, he was less beat up than usual after helping AHL Hershey to back-to-back Calder Cup titles the previous two seasons.
“You have to take a month off after that because your body is beat up,” Beagle said. “But this summer was a full one where I could go to work and really gain some strength, some good weight. I’m used to being a little bit lighter, but every day I’m getting more used to that extra muscle and size. Stick with it and its going to be better in the long run if you figure out how to put it to use.”
