‘We want to ensure this team is successful on the ice.’
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- Published on Thursday, September 3, 2015
Photo by Eoin Devereux. The ice at the Yellowhead Arena is ready for another season of Neepawa Natives hockey.
By Eoin Devereux
The Neepawa Banner
Although the temperature outside still feels a lot like we’re in the middle of summer, the first signs of winter are appearing inside the Yellowhead Arena, as Neepawa Natives training camp has begun.
Between 80 to 90 players arrived on Thursday, Sept. 3 for registration and physicals for the 27th instalment of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League team’s tryout.
This is the first training camp in Neepawa for new head coach Jim Fuyarchuk, who stepped into the position back in May. Fuyarchuk said while he did meet with some of the players, during the club’s prospect camp in July, this will be his first real opportunity to introduce himself and see exactly what he has to work with.
“We’re going to run them through practices, run them through some drills. It’ll allow us to evaluate player’s skill and ability,” said Fuyarchuk. “The coaching staff is going to be assessing not only the level of talent each player possesses, but also the work ethic and attitude they bring with them on every shift and everything they do during practice. What’s also interesting for some of the drills we will put them through, is that we’ll mix up the players. Try different pairings out there, watch how they work together. See how they skate [and how they] read a play as it develops. Get a read on how players can fit together and who is able to adapt.”
The training camp will include a core of about 25 rookies and recent draft picks of the 2000 born eligible players. Several other players in this category are currently at camps for Western Hockey League clubs, so the number could be larger before beginning of pre-season. Natives general manager Myles Cathcart said there is still a good amount of talent that will be on display early on. He said some could be ready to step into a roster spot right now and a few more have some great long term potential.
“The past three years we’ve been evaluating a lot of young players. Watching them develop their game and find themselves as hockey players. The club feels as though that effort and that patience is going to show out there this season and pay off on the ice,” noted Cathcart.
As for returning players, Griffin Chwaliboga, Patrick Carlin, Kruz Listmayer, Kyle McDonald and Ashton Anderson are just a few of the familiar names from the 2014-2015 season, who’ll be on the ice. Other notable players from last season, such as Nick Sandy, Alex Henry and Steven Phillips have moved on to university, while others such as Riley Hillis were traded in the off-season.
Fuyarchuk added that he’s excited about the start of training camp.
“There is a solid core returning, but we also feel that with the crop of young players coming into camp who are going to make this lineup better. We want to ensure this team is successful on the ice,” stressed Fuyarchuk.
The Neepawa Natives training camp is open to the public. A complete listing of the on-ice schedule can be found online at www.yellowheadcentre.com or with this story at www.mywestman.ca. During the on-ice sessions, season tickets packages are available for purchase and new team merchandise from the booster club can be pre-ordered for the start of the regular season.
The first home pre-season game is set for Wednesday Sept. 9 against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. The regular season begins Sept. 25 against the Dauphin Kings.
