from Don Fennell of the Richmond Review,

Mike Santorelli appears antsy.

During a drill with a small group of fellow pros Wednesday at the Richmond Ice Centre, it seems clear he’s over the injury that cut short last season’s promising campaign with his hometown Vancouver Canucks. But having recently signed a one-year contract to resume his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 28-year-old centre has to prove himself again.

“The game is so competitive you’ve always got to prove yourself. And you’ve always got to get better because there’s always someone who want to take your job,” he said following an intense hour-long workout under the guidance of renowned Vancouver Hockey School instructor Derek Popke....

“It’s like a job actually,” said Santorelli. “Some people think you just have the off-seasons to just enjoy, but we’re all coming out here looking to become stronger and faster. I usually start my off-season training in early July, but this year I started a bit earlier just because I got hurt and wanted to get back in shape. The game is about read and react and you’ve got to be sharp because everything is decided in seconds. It’s also a fast, high-tempo game now and you’ve got to be able to skate or you’re going to be in trouble.”

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