Almost 80 players hit the ice at the Farrell Agencies Arena over the weekend at the Yorkotn Terriers camps.
With the official start of the 2016-2017 season just around the corner, the training has begun.
Players aged 15-20 were playing together, divided among four teams for a weekend of scrimmages and training. 聽
Some players were returning Terriers, others were new players hoping for a spot on this year鈥檚 roster, and the youngest are there for the experience and to be considered as future prospects for the Terriers.
Trent Cassan, head coach of the Terriers, said players at the camp were looking great.
鈥淐amps are going good, we like the competition level and there鈥檚 some good skill out there too,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 3-4 days in, we need to see those guys 3-4 weeks down the road.鈥�
Cassan said they鈥檙e a far way from solidifying this year鈥檚 roster. The coaching staff will narrow down the team after considering this weekend鈥檚 camps, as well as exhibition games being played over the next few weeks.
Reflecting on last year鈥檚 roster, Cassan said his previous team, although young, was a great group to work with.
鈥淎ge wise, we won鈥檛 be a whole lot older than we were last year. But one thing we will have will be a lot more Junior A experience,鈥� he said.
鈥淟ast year there were a lot of rookies in the line up. Most nights you were seeing 10-12 rookies. That number will probably be a lot smaller this year.鈥�
Cassan said in terms of practice plans early in the season, they like to focus on skill development and game pace. 聽
From an early standpoint, Cassan said he鈥檚 hoping to see his team climb in the rankings this year.
鈥淸Last year] we finished in tenth place. I feel that with the experience on this team this year, the team is set up well and poised to take a step up in the standings,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut that will depend on how motivated the returning players are to work.鈥�
The Terriers had their first exhibition game at home on Monday evening, where they beat the Melville Millionaires 6-4.
The first game of the Terriers鈥� official season will be played in Yorkton on Sept. 16.
