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Angle wasn’t expecting to stay with the Columbus and he was one of five players released by the club on Monday.
“There were only 34 guys in camp and I was one and that kind of boosts the confidence,” Angle said.
Angle credits his first camp experience with Columbus for his 23-point improvement in scoring last season and becoming a plus/minus rating of plus 13 on the ice after being a minus 11 the previous season.
“Just to train with NHL guys is amazing,” Angle said. “Last year was cool, we had rookie tournament and some guys signed. Then, when went to main camp, I learned a lot and brought it back to my game (in Windsor).
“This year’s a little different. I’ve skated with those guys and it’s still a different feeling with how they handle day-to-day training, how they practice and it’s different.”
It wasn’t an easy camp to jump into for Angle. Like most of his junior hockey teammates, the 5-foot-10, 172-pound centre had little on-ice action before heading to Columbus and also had to quarantine before camp.
“I was training in summer and it’s not the easiest to get back up to game speed,” Angle said. “I was just at home training and there’s not games, so it was incredible to get the call.
“I flew there on Christmas, so I missed Christmas with my family and I was in a hotel room for seven days. The only time you could leave was to get tested. I got tested over a dozen times (overall) and after seven days you could go to the rink.”
Still not signed, Angle isn’t sure if he’ll get a chance to play with the club’s American Hockey League in Cleveland, but would not be surprised to eventually land back in Windsor and, with another good season, have a chance to sign that pro contract.
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