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[GLOVESAVE35]

ETOBICOKE, Ont. -- While most of the hockey world spent Wednesday's energy concentrating on the possible outcomes for Thursday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals series between the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes, a hockey drama just as taut and tense is unfolding north of the border, a mere 90 minutes north of Buffalo.

Here, at the Park Plaza Hotel, the NHL Draft Combine is in full swing. The week-long event, hosted by the NHL's Central Scouting Service, has brought 109 of the best and brightest teenage prospects eligible for this year's Entry Draft together in one place so the League's 30 member clubs can take advantage of the opportunity to interview these stars of tomorrow.

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[Dark Knight]

UPDATE

[Just Duckie]

Each NHL club has its own team of scouts, front office and athletic staff on hand. The players will conduct interviews with the clubs and will also undergo medical examinations and fitness testing for the league's Central Scouting Service.

Players will be weighed and measured and will perform arm and upper body strength tests, push-ups, sit-ups and bench presses. The tests also include going on the stationary bike for anaerobic and aerobic testing

Why does this combine focus so much on fitness? I mean it's important, but why don't they do any skills testing/drills too? I can see conditioning being important for hockey players, but isn't it more important how well they skate, puck handle, go through hockey drills, etc., than how much they can bench press?