The Yorkton Terriers held their annual Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League camp over the weekend.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a busy weekend,鈥� said Terrier general manager and head coach Trent Cassan prior to the White & Orange game Sunday.
The Terriers, who were last overall in the league last season, face a major rebuild with only one 20-year-old, Kailum Gervais with the team.
鈥淭here鈥檚 lots of new guys to work with,鈥� said Cassan.
The Terrier coach said the camp was smaller than in the recent past, with only three teams worth of players, giving the coaches more time to evaluate, and the players more time to show what they have to offer.
鈥淚鈥檇 say the team is very wide open,鈥� said Cassan, adding that means there are opportunities for both veterans and rookies to carve out spots on the roster, and the roles they have.
鈥淭here鈥檚 certainly an opportunity for guys to take advantage of the situation,鈥� he said.
Cassan said the smaller camp did make for some competitive sessions.
鈥淚t was a chance to get a good look at everyone,鈥� he said.
The smaller camp was also to streamline decisions as the Terriers have only four preseason games scheduled rather than six as in recent years.
That will mean a few less younger prospects, those who are likely to be part of the Terrier plans in a season or two rather than this year will see preseason action.
As for what he saw at camp Cassan said the Terriers do have a core group returning on defence, players which last year were thrust into roles which should now provide important experience to take on even larger roles this season.
Cassan said the players returning this season will be given every opportunity 鈥渢o get better and improve鈥� and thereby taking on bigger roles.
In that regard Cassan said he feels his veterans are ready to progress after the difficult 2014-15 season.
鈥淭hey want to improve. None of us were pleased with how it went last season,鈥� he said, adding they have no intention of dwelling on last season, but instead they will start with a clean slate and go from there.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not how we wanted things but let鈥檚 move past that.鈥�
As for the Orange and White game Team White would prevail 6-5 in the contest, with two goal performances from veteran Carson Cayer and 1997-born newcomer Dexter Robinson.
McKenzie Welke (1999) and 2000-born Austen Flaman would have singles for Team White.
On the orange side Brandon Sookro would score along with Keaton Gordon (1997), Cole Keenleyside and Mason Mullaney, both born in 1998, and 1999-born Derrick Budz.
The Terriers were to play a home ice preseason game against Melville last night (Tuesday), but results were not available at press time.
Their next home action will be Saturday hosting Waywayseecappo of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
