Positivity was one of the first characteristics mentioned by multiple players who were asked to describe the first day of camp, with coaches and management making a concerted effort to keep the players loose and relaxed. It helps that the on-ice sessions are being run by new Rochester Americans coach Chris Taylor, who assistant general manager Randy Sexton called "one of the most positive professionals" he's ever been around.
More than anything, management looked to convey to the prospects that they were here for development, not evaluation.
"Clearly, the word 'development' is strategic to us," Sexton said. "It truly is about development, and only a small part of it is about what happens on the ice. More importantly, it's what happens off the ice. I think Jason Long and his staff have put together a very good program, and that was Jason Botterill's message to the kids today.
"The on-ice is only one part. The more important part - and the part we're really watching for - is how do you handle yourself off the ice? How do you take advantage of all the incredible resources we have here to help you help yourself be better? That's really the focus of this camp. It's not about stops and starts or bag skates. It's about helping each of these young players access the resources they need to be as good as they're capable of becoming."
With three days remaining, the tone has been set.
"It's been great," forward Nicholas Baptiste said. "[General manager Jason] Botterill's been great, [coach Phil] Housley's been great. "They've talked about how they want to play, and just the mood here is pretty upbeat and happy. You can tell the direction we're going to go in, Buffalo and Rochester. It's pretty positive.
Here are some more takeaways from Day 1 of camp