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WELLS - At times Monday the Wells Sports Complex had the look of a short-track speedskating session as skaters raced around the rink in close quarters.

That was one of the drills first-year coach Charlie Elliott used in the fast-paced opening practice session for Escanaba High School's hockey team. He sprinkled in a variety of drills to give all 25 candidates a chance to display their skills under close scrutiny of the coaching staff.

The Eskymos have been working on conditioning and in the weight room for the past month, and the conditioning was obvious as they went full-blast through the opening session.

Sessions continue through Thursday when Elliott and his staff make the final cut, then Esky will host Petoskey in exhibition games at 7:30 Friday and 1:30 Saturday.

Elliott said EHS fans are welcome to attend Thursday's intrasquad scrimmage (3:30 to 5) as well as the other sessions, which will include use of officials. "We want to make it as real as we can," he said.

"It has been a cultural change," Elliott said, noting conditioning and lifting is at 6:30 a.m. "I've seen a tremendous commitment to the hockey program, and not only from the kids but all the people of Escanaba."

A highlight of Thursday's program will be selecting the "King of the Camp" for the player in the best physical condition.

Tonight's practice will be offensive-driven, he said. "We want to see if the kids understand transition, puck movement, counter attacks and breakout options.

"Wednesday will be built around defense," he said of 1-on-1, 2-on-2, etc. workouts. "It will be a real grinder practice."

Monday's session focused on individual skills. "We wanted to get a look at where their skating skills are, puck handling, shooting and passing. We accomplished that today," he said. "Practice was very high-tempo. The skill level is there."

It also appeared there wasn't much difference in talent level among the candidates. Three prospective players are on the football team that is in the postseason and will get their opportunity to try out after that season ends.

"There was a lot of parity out there," Elliott said. "There was not as big a discrepancy (in skill level) as I had anticipated, which makes our job a difficult one. Our job Thursday (player cuts) will be done correctly, with a lot of thought."

After the initial practice, Elliott said "work ethic is not an issue. These kids are committed to something. They know what it takes to get there."

Elliott, 38, is a native of Sault Ste. Marie with an extensive background in hockey, including a stint as a defenseman for Michigan State University from 1991-93. He was on the U.S. Hockey League's all-star team in 1990 and was one of four Americans drafted into the Ontario Hockey League in 1988.

He replaces Ward Johnsen, who resigned for personal reasons, and is the fifth head coach in a program that has experienced just five winning seasons since beginning in 1984.

"It is time to take it to the next level," he said. "The buy-in seems to be there. They recognize that to do something great they have to work harder than ever before. They have to be in the best physical and mental shape of their life."

The Eskymos open regular season Nov. 20-21 in the Huron Hockey Shores Challenge in Alpena, then host Marquette Dec. 1.