The preparations for the 2014-15 Battlefords AAA Sharks' season began Sunday as the team held their fall tryouts at the Civic Centre.
More than 50 players, including nine goaltenders, were on the ice for the tryout, more than doubling the number of attendees at last year's camp.
The tryout opened with drills for the first hour before a player and parents meeting was held. The second half of the tryout saw the players break out into their four previously determined teams to scrimmage.
According to Sherry Fraser, the chair of the Sharks' board of directors, the team is more dedicated on and off the ice to put a winning product on the ice. They are trying to emulate strategies used by the Midget AAA Stars as much as possible.
The Sharks have also launched a new website, www.battlefordsaaasharks.ca. The site will feature the team's roster, statistics, schedule, results and upcoming special events.
She says the goal for the team is to be near the top of the SFMAAAHL this season. Last year, the Sharks finished in eighth, but their play improved over the course of the season. They won two of their last three regular season games before falling to the first-place Regina Rebels in the opening round of the playoffs.
In addition to the exhibition schedule, the Sharks will travel to Edmonton to participate in the NAIT annual Women's Hockey Blue Gold Tournament Sept. 5 to 7. They will play in three games over the course of the weekend, with the graduating players facing off against the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Ooks team.
The Sharks open their exhibition schedule Sept. 18 at the Battleford Arena against the Prince Albert A&W Bears.
Battlefords opens the regular season on the road with two games in Weyburn Oct. 11 and 12. Their home opener is Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. against the Notre Dame Hounds at the Battleford Arena.
