Renney’s mandatory fitness test ‘puts fear’ in those returning from injury
Oil players take a U turn
It is called the U-test, and the Edmonton Oilers who have taken it do not speak of it fondly.
“It puts fear in everyone,” said defenceman Ryan Whitney.
The test is a signature of head coach Tom Renney, and any Oilers player returning from an injury has to take it.
Simulating 45-second shifts, it is a leg-burning exercise that Renney uses to determine whether or not a player is physically ready to move back into the lineup.
“If you don’t pass, you’re just ready to start crying,” said Whitney. “It’s four shifts of 45-50 seconds with three minutes rest. And three minutes sounds a lot longer than it is. You can’t have a drop off of one to two seconds from the first to the fourth, which is what makes it really, really tough.”
Ryan Nugent-hopkins, Jordan Eberle and Tom Gilbert all took a stab at it on Wednesday. After missing four games with a knee injury, Eberle returned to the lineup on Jan. 19 in St. Louis, but hadn’t squeezed in his test.
Exceptions are not allowed, so he was out skating the required laps before the Oilers practice.
Nugent-hopkins, out with a shoulder injury since Jan. 2, took the test, then went out for his first full-contact practice. He is still unlikely for Thursday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks but the rookie could return for Saturday’s showdown with the Detroit Red Wings.
Gilbert, meanwhile, took half the test to see how his ankle was responding. He hasn’t played since the Hawks’ Daniel Carcillo drilled him into the boards on Jan. 2.
Carcillo was not only suspended by the league, his season was cut short because he required surgery on his anterior cruciate knee ligament.
“I just wanted to get a sniff of what the test was about,” said Gilbert. “I was tired. But I felt good, and I felt good after. I just want to see some progress.”
The upside of the test, of course, is that it is one of the last hurdles a player has to clear before he can resume his regular playing routine. The full test, not the half version that Gilbert took.
“I did it once. Pretty unique. I’ve never seen anything like it before,” said Ben Eager. “I don’t think many guys like it.”
Eberle said the test isn’t as tough if you’re in shape, but he also confessed it should have been easier for him given that he has been playing for a couple of weeks.
“We were on the road when he was coming back … we made a deal,” said Renney. “It doesn’t matter how many games you play between now and when it happens, but you’re doing it.”
Renney said on Wednesday that there was almost no-drop off in Nugent-hopkins’ results, but he was hesitant about putting him in the lineup against the Blackhawks. Ditto for defenceman Cam Barker who may have to undergo the test again Thursday morning. He should be back by Saturday.
“I did one right before the (all-star) break. It’s pretty tough but it’s a great gauge to see where you’re at in terms of on-ice fitness,” said Barker, who left the lineup on Nov. 10 and underwent ankle surgery.
“If the drop-off is significant, I’m putting the player at risk for being half a step off and being vulnerable,” said Renney, “and if he’s half a step off and can’t get to the loose puck and loses the line on it and somebody else gets to it and makes a play and scores in overtime and we lose and miss the playoffs … that’s why we do the U-test.”