It has been quite awhile since Gerard Gallant stepped on the ice as the head coach of an NHL team to coach a practice. Eight years in fact. That ended on Friday morning as the Florida Panthers training camp kicked into action with Gallant leading the way. He previously was the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2003-2006.

Since that time, Gallant has been an assistant coach for the New York Islanders in 2007-2009, head coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL from 2009-2012, and an assistant coach for the Montreal Canadiens from 2012-2014. He said a new beginning always has its unknown feeling and he did not have many nerves.

The Panthers invited 51 players to training camp. While Gallant has spent the time after being hired studying them all, this is his first time meeting many of them. While practices in camp usually involve splitting up the group into two squads for a scrimmage, he has decided to choose 40 players a day to take part in a scrimmage. The other players took part in a full practice with Gallant and his other coaches.

Rookie defenseman Aaron Ekblad skated alongside veteran defenseman Willie Mitchell during the scrimmage. Gallant thought it would be a great opportunity for the young highly-touted player to learn from one of the more respected and great teachers still playing in the NHL.

Gallant liked the overall momentum from what he saw and said everyone feels eager to be practicing again with one another whether they were a new face like himself or not. He will have almost three weeks to analyze and decide on the final roster before Opening Night of the regular season in Tampa Bay on Thursday October 9th.

When asked about naming a new Panthers captain, Gallant said he had not spoken about it much, but does expect to name one by the end of training camp. There also is the possibility of naming four alternate captains instead, as the Montreal Canadiens decided on this past week.

Panthers training camp continues throughout this weekend and many fans are expected to attend the Panthers Fan Fest. Part of the festivities on Saturday feature an three-hour open ice practice with Sunday having a shorter practice and intra-squad scrimmage.