The start of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is just around the corner and that means that the Yorkton Terriers head to the Farrell Agencies Arena ice this weekend for their fall try-out camp.
Terrier head coach Trent Cassan said he is expecting about 70-players to be in attendance adding it is usual for some players expected to try-out to choose other options, and for a few players simply to turn out for a shot at making the team.
The Terrier coach said he feels confident the team has done a good job of recruiting for the upcoming season, but when asked about the prospects he added "you really can't answer that until you start the season."
Cassan said that is really what fall camp is about, putting new players into action against team veterans, and then other SJHL teams through preseason to evaluate how they stack up talent- wise.
"You never know until you get on the ice."
Certainly the Terriers have holes to fill after graduating several players, and seeing others moved in the off season to complete trade deadline deals made last season.
One obvious spot is in net where Devin Peters graduated from Junior after three years in Yorkton.
Warren Shymko returns as the frontrunner for the spot, but the Terriers will need to add at least one new face.
Cassan said he has some hopefuls ready to vie for the job.
Whoever is in net, the defence in front of him will be decidedly different from last season as well.
"We graduated a lot of older players," said Cassan, adding the club will need some veterans to play larger blueline roles.
"Some guys are going to get some more ice time, more responsibility."
There are also some players who filled in at times last season as affiliated players with the Terriers who are going to be looked at for a larger role, including blueline twins Chase and Brady Norrish.
Cassan said having them play last season in all kinds of situation, even the powerplay should prove to be a big plus this year.
"They're keen as players and love playing hockey," he said.
"There's not a situation they don't like being involved in, and we were confident using them, not just spotting their ice time."
It's the same up front where Cassan said while they expect seven, or eight players back with Terrier experience they were not the top line last season. He said he will be looking "to everyone improving a bit."
Cassan said he'll have a better feel for this season's edition of the team in a couple of weeks.
"It's probably a little bit early (to say). We'll let camp and exhibition games sort it (all) out," he said.
