The Weyburn Red Wings fall training camp will be good competition for the returning veterans, and new players who will be at Crescent Point Place during the Labour Day weekend.
Wes Rudy, the new head coach for the Red Wings, said they are expecting 60 players to be at the training camp. “It will be a challenge to be in charge of picking the team. I enjoy the competition of training camp and how the younger players push the older players.”
Rudy, new general manager Tanner McCall, new assistant coach Brock Appleyard and other scouts for the team will be looking for players who have speed and skill. “Ultimately, speed and skills is what hockey is about,” said Rudy.
The Red Wings fall training camp will open on Saturday, Sept. 3, with registration for players at 9 a.m. Fitness testing and on-ice sessions will following registration, and continue until Monday, Sept. 5.
The annual Red and White game, featuring players from the training camp, is set for Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. Rudy is hoping for a good crowd at Crescent Point Place for the Red and White game.
During the weekend, the third annual Future Red Wings Camp will also be featured. This will include younger hockey players, who will have three hours of on-ice instruction during the weekend.
The Red Wings will have four exhibition games before the start of their regular season in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. They will have a home-and-home exhibition series between Notre Dame and Estevan.
The Red Wings will start their regular season with a home-and-home series against the Yorkton Terriers. The Red Wings will be in Yorkton on Friday, Sept. 16, and then host the Terriers at Crescent Point Place on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
One of the important goals for the team will be an united front when it comes to competing during the regular season. “We want everyone to compete hard, it is what we expect,” said Rudy.
He is especially looking forward to working in partnership with McCall and Appleyard. “Both Tanner and Brock bring some youth to our organization. Together, we are a very positive group, and we all have the same opinion when it comes to the future of this team.”
When the Red Wings hit the ice for the 2016-2017 regular season, there will be a slight addition to their jerseys for the year. It was decided by the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League to place a #9 patch on all jerseys for every team in the league, in memory of Gordie Howe.
“As a league from Mr. Howe’s home province, for what he did for hockey in Saskatchewan and the world, the governors wanted to recognize Mr. Howe somehow. It was decided a #9 patch would be worn on the jerseys,” said Bill Chow, president of the SJHL.
“Mr. Howe meant a lot to hockey and the Saskatchewan people,” said Chow. “He is the epitome of what Saskatchewan hockey is all about: heart, soul, character, dedication and commitment.”
