Kootenay Ice players off at NHL training camp are starting to trickle back in as their respective pro clubs release them in advance of the start of the WHL regular season.

Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen and forward Joe Antilla have both returned from the Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks respectively, carrying the memories and experience of competing at their first pro camps back to the Kootenay organization.

All of the eight Ice players who attended camp are a credit to their work ethic and deserving recognition of their play, said Ice head coach Kris Knoblauch.

"They had an outstanding season last year and it's nice to be recognized for what they did and for the organization-we benefit because I think they learn a little bit when they go to the NHL camp and really understand what it is to be a professional and I think it adds to our organization."

Drew Czerwonka will be back from the Edmonton Oilers sometime before Saturday, along with Joey Leach, who was with the Calgary Flames.

However, both James Martin and Max Reinhart will stay with the Flames and play in some preseason NHL action over the weekend.

There are subtle differences between the WHL and NHL, said both Antilla and Lieuwen, but those differences are the divide between major-junior and professional hockey.

"All the little things in hockey are amplified when you get up to that kind of level like passing-all passing is crisp, hard passing, always on the tape, guys aren't fumbling passes around and making bad plays and stuff like that," said Antilla.

He spent his time down in San Jose, California, participating in the camp and traveling up to Penticton, B.C., to play in the 2011 Young Stars Tournament, which featured prospects from the Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets.

"I got into all three games. I had two assists in the first game but I didn't put up any points in the other games but I played pretty well and I think they recognized that and they're really happy with what I did," Antilla added.

The Sharks released him back to the Kootenay organization, encouraging him to further develop his game that helped the Ice make a magical playoff run last year to capture their third league championship.

Lieuwen spent his time out East with the Sabres, playing in a prospects tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, where he notched a win for the club against the Minnesota Wild.

He turned away 18 of 21 shots to help earn his side a 6-3 win over the Wild squad.

"It was awesome," said Lieuwen, of his experience. "The Traverse City tournament that the team went to was a lot of fun, we had a lot of success there and just being around all those NHL players is pretty special."

As with Antilla's experience, Lieuwen noticed the differences between the two leagues.

"It's a little bit of everything. It's speed, it's shot release, it's where guys know where to be, it's systems, the guys up there know what they're doing and they execute really well," he continued.

Lieuwen said the Sabres will be keeping their eye on him over the season and he is excited to show everyone what he can accomplish in his last season in the WHL.

The returning veterans will bolster a club that didn't seen much success in the preseason, posting one win and four losses in five games.

However, the Ice have trimmed some of the fat of the roster, wrapped up most of the player evaluations, and will be shifting the focus to the new season.

The veterans will add some depth and leadership as it prepares for its first regular season game on the road against the Red Deer Rebels this Friday, said Knoblauch.

"Personally, they know what to do, taking care of themselves, working out, practice habits but not only does it help them, I think the other players-the younger players-watch the older players and so when you have good leaders, it rubs off on the younger players," Knoblauch continued.