It's been a long wait throughout the summer, but the Humboldt Broncos are almost ready to get back on the ice.
The 2013-14 season will truly get underway at the team's training camp, to be held Sept. 6-8 at the Elgar Petersen Arena. After a summer spent on the recruiting trail, head coach and general manager Dean Brockman is happy to be inching closer to the real thing.
"It's going to be very exciting to see all of the hard work we did all summer pay off," Brockman said.
The number of prospects at camp is still uncertain, but Brockman expects there will be six groups - three teams of older players competing for spots and three teams of younger prospects.
There should be lots of spots available for those players, as Brockman said at least half of the team's 20-man roster from last season could be turned over, including a need for two new goalies.
"We won't be scared to replace anyone because if you didn't do your work over the summer you'll be behind," Brockman said. "If we have to replace all 20 we'll do it but if guys come back in good condition we could have eight or nine returning players."
During the season the Broncos will carry an active roster of 20, with a few additional inactive players in case of injury or other circumstances.
The style of play that the team adopts this season will depend largely on the roster and how quickly younger players adapt to the higher level of play.
"If our young guys adjust quickly, we can play more of a puck control game," Brockman said. "If they don't adjust quickly then we'll have to play dump-and-chase a little more. Your team identity continues to evolve as the season goes along. Some years your team is faster, some years it's tougher."
One of the more difficult parts of any training camp is making those final cuts. Figuring out the top line isn't usually a problem, but deciding on the last two or three spots can drive coaches crazy.
"The players dictate whether you have an easy or tough time cutting guys," Brockman said. "Decisions aren't usually made by the coaches, they're made by the players based on play, condition, their off-ice behaviour and adherence to the program."
With potentially so many roster spots to fill, Brockman got in contact with between 50 and 65 players this summer, more than the 30 or 40 that is usual. Brockman said about eight or nine of those players will be at camp this weekend, though many weren't willing to commit to camp as early as other years.
The preseason schedule will give Brockman and assistant coach Brayden Klimosko a chance to experiment with different lineups and see what new and returning players can show in real game action.
"Once the exhibition games start, that's when you figure it all out," Brockman said.
This year's training camp will conclude with the traditional Green & Gold Game at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8. The Broncos will host their first exhibition game against the Melfort Mustangs at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The regular season opens in Humboldt on Sept. 21 with a 7:30 p.m. game against the Notre Dame Hounds.
