Hometown product Jarrett Fontaine is looking forward to the puck dropping at the Humboldt Broncos annual fall camp.
“It’s exciting because it’s the first step in building our team,” wrote Fontaine, the Broncos’ top returning scorer, in a text interview. “The coaches, as well as the players, get to see what our team is going to look like for the upcoming year.”
The Broncos will open their annual fall tryout camp on Sept. 4. A Green and Gold Game is slated for Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Elgar Petersen Arena. Humboldt starts the 2015-2016 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s regular season at home on Sept. 18 against Notre Dame.
It will be the first Bronocs fall camp for new head coach Darcy Haugan. The former leader of the very successful North Peace Navigators Junior B team emphasized that camp is part of a process with the goal of building to March. While Haugan, who won five North West Junior Hockey League championships, is bringing in some players he is familiar with, he said he is excited: “To see what you have … Start the building process, which is fun to do. … Just itching to get at it.”
He expects to have about 140-150 players in camp. Many of those will be young players the Broncos want to evaluate and then track the development of this coming season. About 10 players from last season, including Fontaine, will be in camp.
“I think the biggest thing coming into fall camp is the fact that you haven’t played an actual game of hockey for roughly six months so that alone is exciting in itself,” Fontaine texted. “For me coming in to fall camp, it gives me a chance to catch up with my teammates from that previous year and meet some of new guys coming in.”
Veteran forwards Gray Marr, who led Humboldt with 42 points in 52 games, and Stuart Symenuk have opted not to return. Marr is headed to Odessa of the North American Hockey League. Symenuk has opted to pursue his education and play Junior B hockey. In their stead comes a recruiting class put together by Haugan, former head coach Ryan Smith, assistant coach Brayden Klimosko, and the Broncos scouting staff.
There were times last season when the Broncos seemed to struggle to score. Haugan said that players such as Fontaine, who led the team with 17 goals, are a year older and wiser. As well, talented new players are coming in.
“The big thing is getting them to camp and start building that chemistry,” Haugan said.
One new addition is Saskatoon’s Connor Kortko, who split last season between La Ronge and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. He had 13 goals and 18 points in 24 games with La Ronge.
“We are hoping he can provide us with some goal scoring,” Haugan said.
The back end looks to the team’s strength right now, Haugan said. Eligible to return are veteran defencemen such as Anthony Kapelke, the team’s captain last year, and Greg Moro. Haugan expects four talented, recruited goalie to be in camp.
All players at the fall camp will certainly be looking to turn the head of the new Broncos bench boss. However, Haugan also emphasized the importance of Klimosko and the scouting staff.
“You don’t want to overlook a kid or make a snap decision on a kid they know and they trust.”
Haugan said he is looking for a variety of things from players at the fall camp.
“That competitive spirit has to be there first and foremost.”
In addition, he wants to see such things as hockey smarts, speed, and skating
“The ability to compete and being smart will allow you to go a long ways in life,” Haugan said.
