After the alumni game this weekend at Revolution Place, the Grande Prairie Storm players will taking to the ice for camp. Business Manager and Assistant Coach Dennis Rix explains that the camp next week will be a chance to see what some of the new and old players have to show.
“I am just trying to build on the momentum last year, but obviously we are starting from the goal crease out. We have a new starter coming in from Quebec. From there that is a good start, we just have to build up the D and add some skill on forward.”
Rix says some of their new players include Forward Edouard Michaud from St-Gabriel-De-Brandon Montagnards of the Quebec Junior A League, Defensemen Christopher Lanouette from Terrebonne Cobras of the Quebec Junior AAA League, and Forward Zachary Okabe from Shawnigan Lake Midget Prep on Vancouver Island.
Although they have acquired some players from around the country, the Assistant Coach says a local focus is always part of their agenda.
“There are a lot of great players coming through the system. It is not a guarantee that you make the team because you are from here. We expect our players to be good enough and earn spots on the team. I love having local guys on the team. I am a local guy myself that played for the Storm, so I find it important.”
He says it is a smaller camp than previous years at 40 players competing for their spot on the team.
“We are hoping to have it very competitive and we are hoping to get to our team rather quickly this year. We have guys coming from out east, from Calgary, from Edmonton and locally as well. A good mix of talent.”
The Brian Nash Memorial game will be held on Sunday, August 27th. All 40 players will compete while raising money for the Brian Nash Scholarship Fund. The money will go to a future Storm player to attend post secondary education after graduation. Details on the game can be found on the Storm website.
The Alumni game will go on Friday, August 18th. Carter Rowney as well as other players that used to play with the club will be making an appearance on the ice at Revolution Place.
The Grande Prairie Storm’s first exhibition game goes at 7:30 p.m. at Revolution Place against Prince George. The first regular season home game is Saturday, September 16 against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons at 7:30 p.m. at Revolution Place