It’s expected 59 players from across North America will be taking part in this weekend’s Grande Prairie Storm training camp, and up to 25 of them will be local products. Coach and general manager Kevin Higo says that’s been an increasing focus for the team.
“My first training camp with the Storm we had 5 Peace region kids. We had a smaller camp in 2014 but this year we will have five times as many players. We’ve got right from ’96 to 2002 covered and I think that is great, not only for present, the future as well.”
Higo says they’re really working on bulking up the size of their defence this year, after noticing bigger players have been working out for other teams in the league.
With ongoing efforts to turn around the team, Higo admits he’s feeling the pressure to perform on ice.
“People want bang for their buck. That is the plan to get the franchise back going on and off the ice. It will take some time but it has been a really productive summer and we are excited to get going.”
Training camp ice sessions Saturday and Sunday are open to the public, and fans are invited back Monday night for the annual Brian Nash Memorial inter-squad game. The Storm is set for three pre-season games, one at Revolution Place Wednesday August 31st followed by another two in Prince George.