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.
Some players were returning Terriers, others were new players hoping for a spot on this year’s 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.
“Camps are going good, we like the competition level and there’s some good skill out there too,” he said. “But it’s 3-4 days in, we need to see those guys 3-4 weeks down the road.”
Cassan said they’re a far way from solidifying this year’s roster. The coaching staff will narrow down the team after considering this weekend’s camps, as well as exhibition games being played over the next few weeks.
Reflecting on last year’s roster, Cassan said his previous team, although young, was a great group to work with.
“Age wise, we won’t be a whole lot older than we were last year. But one thing we will have will be a lot more Junior A experience,” he said.
“Last 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.”
Cassan said in terms of practice plans early in the season, they like to focus on skill development and game pace.
From an early standpoint, Cassan said he’s hoping to see his team climb in the rankings this year.
“[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,” he said. “But that will depend on how motivated the returning players are to work.”
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’ official season will be played in Yorkton on Sept. 16.
