from Adam Kimelman and John Kreiser of NHL.com,

There are a number of benchmark dates on the NHL calendar, and one of them is occurring here this week.

The annual NHL Player Media Tour has brought 34 of the League's top stars to the New York area for two days of interviews, photo shoots, promotional videos and more.

"It's always cool," New York Islanders captain John Tavares said. "It always signals the season is right around the corner, training camp is coming up, the buildup [to the season] is coming. It's an exciting time. You always enjoy increasing that buildup with all the media attention we get there [for a] couple days."

For a number of players, this is their first time attending one of the NHL's biggest events. It was an opportunity for them to be exposed to some of the national media outlets that broadcast their games, as well as meet some of the League's elite players in a quiet, non-competitive setting.

"When I got the call to do it I didn't really know what it was all about," Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad said. "I just saw the roster of guys who was here and my eyes were kind of lit up. There are a lot of players I looked up to growing up and a lot of good players here, so it's a lot of fun being here."

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