Oil Caps fall training camp took place at Tundra Oil & Gas Place on the weekend with over 50 rookie players competing on 3 teams and 20 returning and signed players taking part in practices throughout the 3 day camp.
Camp started on Friday morning with the veteran and signed players completing fitness testing with strength and fitness coach Brock Davies. The players were put to the test participating in 8 different tests to measure fitness levels after summer training. It was apparent players had a good summer of training and came back to camp in great shape. The group then took part in the first official practice of the season at 4 pm. It was high paced and the players were excited to be back on the ice.
Rookie registration took place at 5 pm and all rookies were divided up on 3 teams and each group took part in a skills practice where Oil Caps power skating coach Patti Hole put them through their paces.
Saturday morning rookie teams competed against each other in the camp’s first game action followed by a practice session for the returning and signed players. The Oil Caps were excited to have former Oil Cap and current Vegas Golden Knight Zach Whitecloud and westman product, Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Travis Sanheim participate in practices with the veteran players.
Oil Cap’s goaltending coach Ryan Potter put the goalies through a goalies only session at 1:30 pm and that was followed by another set of rookie games to conclude Saturday. The games were high paced and many of the rookie players impressed Oil Caps coaching and scouting staff.
Sunday morning saw the final set of rookie games followed by individual player meetings for all players with Oil Capitals coaching and scouting staff. Some players were released from camp at this point and the remaining players joined the veteran and signed players to make up the roster for the ‘Garry Cup’ Intrasquad Game on Sunday afternoon.
The game had a great tempo with many great scoring chances and it remained tight until prospect Branden Huminuk, who was acquired in a trade with the Winnipeg Blues in the summer, put Team Red up 4-1 with under 10 mins to play. Team Red would go on to win by that same score and Oil Caps captain Kolten Kanaski, who also had a goal in the game, would accept the ‘Garry Cup’ from assistant equipment manager Garry Rempel on behalf of Team Red. Oil Caps Brett Paddock, Colin Cook (Team Red) and Tanner Andrew (Team Black) also had goals in the game.
Oil Caps Head Coach and GM Tyson Ramsey was impressed with the weekend,
“I was real happy with how the weekend went and impressed with all of our guys. I thought the games were highly competitive and fast paced and we were really quite happy with our list guys that competed in rookie camp and certainly there were also a few pleasant surprises in the talented free agent group that attended camp.” said Ramsey. “I thought our returning players competed hard in practices and showed our younger players and prospects the kind of commitment it requires to play at the junior hockey level and what it takes to become an Oil Cap. We are really looking forward to getting the exhibition season started on Tuesday in Portage with the annual rookie game.”
In total there are 31 players remaining with the team to participate in the exhibition season which gets underway Tuesday in Portage against the Terriers at 7:30 pm. Among the prospect players remaining with the club are rookie forwards Roux Bazin, Tyler Thoendel, Hunter Andrew, Hunter Wallace, Joey Bielik and Kyle Bochek, defencemen Tyler Teasdale, Nolan Wallace, David Bielik and Dexter Whittle and goaltenders Brock Moroz, Eric Reid and Cody Creasy.
Exhibition Schedule:
Tuesday Sept. 3rd @ Portage
Wednesday Sept 4th @ Winkler
Saturday Sept 7th @ Wayway
Tuesday Sept. 10th vs Portage
Wednesday Sept. 11th vs Winkler
Saturday Sept. 14th vs Wayway
Snag your 2019-20 Oil Capitals Season Tickets today!
Adult – $270
Senior – $220
Youth – $135
Family (2 Adults & 2 Youth) – $700