TRAVERSE CITY -- After Friday's physical to open training camp, Chris Osgood tried to escape from Centre ICE unnoticed.
It didn't work.
When the Red Wings goaltender quietly exited out the front door -- away from the media and fans on the East end -- he was spotted and flooded by a number of autograph seekers.
Osgood's signature holds a bit more importance this year, as he heads to Traverse City as Detroit's starting goalie for the first time since the 2000-01 season. However, he's approaching camp the same as always.
"My approach doesn't change at all," Osgood said. "Every year, I've come to camp ready to compete."
Last year, Osgood replaced starter Dominik Hasek midway through the Red Wings first-round series against Nashville. He led to Detroit to nine straight wins and eventually the Stanley Cup with a 14-4 record and 1.55 goals-against average.
"He proved to everyone that when he went in there he could do the job," Kirk Maltby said. "He gave us all the confidence in the world. Obviously, it didn't work out for Dom (in the playoffs), but he was professional about it. He was pulling for Ozzie as well. He just wanted to win."
The move was one coach Mike Babcock felt he had to make after the Predators evened the opening series at 2-2.
"There are never any easy decisions," Babcock said. "But by the same token, Dom just wasn't getting hit by the puck. You had no choice. We were fortunate that Chris had such a good year and had so much confidence when he came in to play."
That confidence was noticed by his teammates.
"Ozzie prepared himself and that's all part of being a professional hockey player," Maltby said. "You have to be ready to go at any time and his time came early in the playoffs and he was ready. He was a big part, if not the biggest part, why we were able to win."
For Kris Draper, it was exciting to watch his long-time teammate and former roommate find success.
"Ozzy and I really grew up together in Detroit, Draper said. "I was so happy for him and so proud of him. He was tagged as the backup all year, but he worked so hard and he kept saying 'if you need me and the opportunity is there, I'm ready.' That's a commitment and a statement."
Now, Osgood will be committed to leading the Red Wings to another Stanley Cup. Hasek has since retired, so youngsters Jimmy Howard and Ty Conklin will look to add support at Osgood's backup.
"I'm sure he's looking forward to this year, and we are too," Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. "We have all the confidence in the world in what he can do."
After all, Osgood has proven himself as a top-level goalie over his 14-year career, with 363 wins, three Stanley Cups and four All-Star appearances.
"When you look at his career, stat-wise, Stanley Cups and wins, he's put together a Hall-of-Fame career," Draper said.
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