The 20 American Hockey League games he got into were enough to tell the 170-pound centre that he had to get bigger and stronger. And when the season ended and the Canadiens told him to go home and hit the weights, it just re-enforced something he already knew.

“I put on 15 pounds and my body-fat percentage actually went down,” said Trotter yesterday after Day 3 of training camp.

“I worked with a personal trainer for most of the summer. I told him what the organization expected out of me and he laid out a program.”

Trotter said his summer workout program involved very little cardio, at least at the start, and included a lot of weightlifting.

“When I came out of college, it was a step up, and with every step up, you have to get quicker and strong,” he added. “I don’t notice that I’m carrying extra weight but I feel stronger on the puck. It helps when you’re not getting pushed off the puck and can be stronger in the corners.”

Trotter teamed with Mike Glumac and David Desharnais to form the most effective line in the 3-1 win over the Toronto Marlies Wednesday night in the first game of the Iceberg Cup at Mile One Centre.