Training Camp Update, Depth Chart and More

The ice has officially been put in at the WCEC, but a few more things need to be worked on until the players can hit the ice for camp. Day one of camp is still expected to get underway tomorrow but the team squad practices will likely be pushed to the afternoon rather then the morning. I will post the up to date schedule as soon as it becomes available.

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Here is a semi depth chart of the players in the mix that are currently listed with the club. This by no means will be a full list of all the players that will show up on Wednesday as we will likely see some surprises and other players that have yet to be listed. Here is a look though at what I know at the moment, the order of the rookies is also just a completely random order. Once I get the officially camp team rosters I will post what I can up.

Returnees
Jordon Hoffman 1991 ( still recovering from injury, unknown at this time if he will be ready to go come opening day )
Taylor Duzan 1991
Jesse Mysiorek 1991
D Jay McGrath 1992 ( wont start the year due to injury, which could open up an extra spot for a young player until McGrath returns to the lineup )
Taylor Wasden 1991
Ryan Elliott 1992
Tanner Kissick  1993

- Defense -

Casey Rogers 1991
David Haaf 1992
Zane Morin 1992

-Goalies-

Justin McDonald 1992

Offseason Recruits
Bradley Buckingham 1992 ( I am excited to see what he brings to the lineup. He is a big kid who should add some much needed size to the bottom six )
Landon  Robin 1994 ( acquired from Notre Dame in the offseason )
Dayton Reinboldt 1993 ( acquired from Melville in the offseason )

Rookies Who Are In The Mix
Ryan McConnell (93)
Austin McDonald (93)
Justin Lund (94)
Ryan Mcbride (94)
Colby Daniels (94)
Jeff Olsen  (93)
Mitchell Schwark (94)
Chace Nelson (95)
Taryn Phaneuf (95) - Goaltender
Cody McKinnon (95)
Cody Thiel (93) - Defense
Brett Blatz (93) - Defense
Dillon Frater (94) Defense
Kadin Smaltz (94) - Defense
Mark Hand (94) - Defense
Jeremy Leclerc (95) - Defense
Vukie Mpofu (96) - Defense
Patrick Johnson (93) - Goaltender ( sounds like he is having a really good camp with the Saskatoon Blades )

Attending WHL Camps
Wheaton King ( Medicine Hat )
Brennan Bosovich ( Tri City )
Chris Thorimbert ( Lethbridge )
Patrick Johnson ( Saskatoon )

Their is a few more of the above rookies at Western League camps but will likely be here for Klippers camp.

Waiting to see if they will report
Dane Muench ( at this time it is looking unlikely that Dane Muench is going to report to camp. Nothing is 100% official at the moment )
Riley Parker ( the goaltender was acquired from the AJHL but it sounds like his hockey future is up in the air at the moment and he is contemplating quitting hockey to focus on other career paths )
Philip Patenaude ( acquired from Vernon, and not sure what his status is at the moment. )


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I wanted to post some of the key points from my pre camp interview with Rockie Zinger. It's an extensive interview and I know that not everyone is going to listen to the entire conversation, so here are some points hit on by Rockie Zinger.

- Rockie says their is alot of positive energy around the dressing room
- In and around 40 players will be at training camp
- Riley Down has informed Rockie Zinger that he will officially not be coming to camp. Reasoning being his wrist would of still needed surgery and he also is pursuing the work force.
- Rockie mentions that things are still up in the air with Dane Muench and Phillip Pateneaude. If they do not show up at camp he will move forward.
- In terms of Riley Parker, the goaltender that was acquired in the offseason will also not be reporting to Kindersley. He has decided to end his hockey career and focus on work. He has a job as an apprentice welder, and by working this year he will be able to skip 4 years of grunt work.
- Rockie says that he will be keeping a close eye on the WHL camps
- Feels there will be some hotly contested battles at the forward position. With all the young guys coming in he mentions that not all the players who were on the roster last year are guaranteed spots.
- Mentions some of the young kids have informed Rockie that they don't want to go back to Midget AAA and want to play Junior A hockey this season.
- Due to a few injuries the roster may be a bit bigger lareger to start the season
- Chris Thorimbert will come in to play a few exhibition games but wont be back for the main camp due to attending the Lethbridge WHL camp.
- On the back end there is 5 or 6 rookie d men in the mix that Rockie feels could make this roster.
- Justin McDonald had put himself in position to be the starter out of camp, but if he doesn't come in and perform its open for anyone to take it. You can expect 3 or 4 goaltenders at camp pressing for the backup role.
- Rockie doesn't expect to name his captains until a few days before the season opener.

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Be sure to check out the interviews below with some of the returning vets. I have Ryan Elliot's interview done and will post that sometime tomorrow morning. Still have a few more of the guys to interview over the next few days, stay tuned. Hope to see some of you down at the rink over the next few day!!!