Rockford IceHogs

The CBA has been hammered out, the MOUs have been signed, and teams across the NHL welcome fans back into their buildings starting on Sunday as training camps open for the league.

It's long overdue for a lockout that should not have happened to begin with. While the fans eagerly flock back - as the league knew they would - they should not be taken for granted.

In Chicago, a number of Blackhawks supplemented by players like Mike Brown (TOR), Al Montoya (WPG), Ben Eager (EDM), and Troy Brouwer (WSH) have been skating at least three times a week since the lockout began. Kenny McCudden, skating and skills coach for the Chicago Wolves (AHL), has worked with the players at least...