Neepawa Natives pleased with prospects camp
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- Published on Thursday, July 9, 2015
By Eoin Devereux
The Neepawa Banner
The future of the Neepawa Natives hit the ice in Brandon earlier this week, as the MJHL club held its young prospects camp. Just under 60 players, including top 2015 MJHL bantam draft pick Mackenzie Belinski participated in the event on Monday, July. 6 and Tuesday, July. 7 at the Sportsplex.
It was an opportunity for scouts and management to evaluate players from the team’s protected list and decide which ones warrant a closer look at the team’s training camp, scheduled for September.
Neepawa Natives general manager Myles Cathcart said the club was very pleased with what it saw out on the ice. He noted that there was some noticeable improvements in a few young players who participated in the spring camp, which was held at the Yellowhead Centre in Neepawa in early April.
“Many of the players who took in that camp took the suggestions we shared with them and used that advice to improve certain aspects of their game,” said Cathcart. “Whether it was getting into better shape, working on their foot speed or whatever it might be. You could tell, there were a dozen or so kids who took that advice to heart. They did what they were asked to do and myself and the scouts were impressed with the changes we saw out there in such a short amount of time. It was a really good complement of talented players out there [on the ice].”
For new head coach Jim Fuyarchuk, it was his first opportunity to see some of the prospects up close and gauge exactly what they are able to do. He said it was an opportunity for the hockey hopefuls to show their skills and earn a spot at the main training camp.
“They’re competing for an opportunity to go to our fall camp, so it’s important for them to show their skills. It also has given myself, the coaching staff and the scouts a better read on what they could bring to the team,” said Fuyarchuk. “We have an idea about who’s going to be invited out to Neepawa, but there is no number set in stone. If you have the talent and you show that you’re willing to work, we’re going to bring them in and give them a look.”
The main training camp for the Neepawa Natives will take place in late August or early September. The regular season for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League starts on Sept. 25.
