Scott Powers, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Hossa feeling good entering camp

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- What Marian Hossa was going to be able to give the Chicago Blackhawks was in question at this time last year.

Hossa’s back, which he injured during the Stanley Cup finals, was bothering him during the Blackhawks’ training camp at Notre Dame in September 2013, and the forward was shut down for the team’s preseason games.

A year later, Hossa and the Blackhawks are feeling much more optimistic about his health and what the 35-year-old can provide for the season ahead. Hossa eliminated much of that worry by playing nearly a full 2013-14 season without a recurrence of the back problems.

“Last year was a great example,” Hossa said Friday after participating in a practice and scrimmage on the first day of training camp. “I only missed a few games, a few of them wasn’t because of my injury. I’m glad. If I can repeat it again this year I would be really pleased.

“Last year in the beginning of training camp I felt [my back] wasn’t still good. I had an extra shot in my back at the beginning of last training camp so I missed a few days because of that. So far it’s been good, no complaints. Hopefully, it’s going to stay that way.”

Hossa was moving around just fine during the camp’s opening scrimmage. He, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp were reunited on a line and quickly found their comfort zone again. Sharp set up Hossa in transition for the first goal of the scrimmage, and Toews later hit Hossa in the deep slot and Hossa put home another goal.

Hossa, who will turn 36 in January, arrived at camp fit. He didn’t participate in all of the fitness testing for fear of injury, but he said his body fat was around 8 percent, which was lower than year ago.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has yet to see age become a detriment to Hossa’s game.

“I think one thing about Hoss ... some people might ask you, ‘How old’s Hoss?’ or ‘How’s he doing year in, year out? How’s he keep doing it?’,” Quenneville said. “But he hasn’t given us one indication at all that he’s slowing down and he just keeps that consistency of playing at a high level year in, year out and that predictability of shift in, shift out of Hoss playing the right way. We’re fortunate to have [that] type of luxury in a top-end player, and I thought he had an excellent day today as well.”

Hossa said he hasn’t set any specific goals for this season. He was pleased with his play last season, when he was among the team’s best offensive and defensive players. He finished with 60 points, which was his second-highest point total since joining the Blackhawks in 2009, and received votes for the Selke Trophy, which goes to the league’s best defensive forward.

“When I was younger, maybe I did set up these goals, but there’s only one goal and the goal is to win the Stanley Cup,” Hossa said. “If I can contribute by goals or by playing a two-way game or anywhere else, I’ll be happy to.

“Obviously, when you look at it every year, it starts with training camp. You go, ‘Wow, it’s going to be a long year.’ But you try to think positive and try to enjoy what you do. We have a great group of people working around us. It’s fun to be here and I’m glad I’m part of it.”

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