PENGUINS ROOKIE CAMP BEGINS THURSDAY AT MELLON ARENA

That’s why the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager and head coach, respectively, will introduce a special training camp for rookies only – to be held Thursday through Tuesday at Mellon Arena.

Camp will be open to the public at Mellon Arena from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday only.

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, along with 2006 second-overall pick Jordan Staal, will highlight the list of rookies at camp. A total of 26 players are slated to attend.

“To go to an NHL camp is the first step for most of those kids and it’s a learning process for them,” Therrien said. “They are going to have a session on the ice in the morning and then they are going to have a session off the ice and meet with a nutritionist and a sports psychologist. First of all, it’s a learning process to become a professional. It will give us a good chance to meet those young kinds, too, and build that first relationship as well.”

The prospects arrive on Thursday. Activities begin Friday at 9 a.m. with medical testing at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine. An optional practice is slated for the afternoon.

Mandatory on-ice practice begins Saturday and ends Tuesday, two days before the Penguins regular training camp opens.