In the words of the Spruce Kings assistant general manager and director of player personnel, Mike Hawes, it was a good camp that showed off a lot of talented players that are looking for a roster spot on the 2010-11 Spruce Kings team. There were the players that met pre-camp expectations and there were those that exceeded and others still that surprised leaving scouts, coaches and fans asking "who is that?"
Now that the camp is done, the boys behind closed doors have a better idea of who they want to see at the team's main camp and the picture that is the 2010-11 team is coming in to focus. It is safe to say that most of those thoughts and conversations will remain behind closed doors until at least June 1st when teams receive their allotment of player cards and players can officially commit to a team for the coming season.
But if I can be so bold as to say that what I saw has left me excited for the possibilities that lay in wait starting in the month of September. I'm sure the fans that had an opportunity to take in the camp have their eyes set on a few new prospects as well considering the number of players that were on hand this weekend. Over 140 players started the weekend by being assigned to one of eight teams that were each coached by team representatives not normally found on the bench. I had the privilege of coaching Team Orange that featured RJay Berra as the only Spruce Kings veteran player.
Other vets included Sam Muchalla (Team Blue), Jeff Datoff (Team Maroon), Reid Blinkhorn (Team Red), Nic deSousa (Team Green), Kyle Manlow (Team Red), Justin Fillion (Team Green), Jeremy Wiebe (Team Blue) and Luke Hannas (Team Grey). There was a large group of players that were AP'ed with the team through the season and players that have been seen at previous camps. Along with the familiar faces, there was also a few recognizable family names on the list. Rounding it out, was a large group of players that were new to the Spruce Kings. All of them had one objective of standing out from the crowd and attracting the attention of the coaching and scouting staff.
As mentioned earlier, I had the opportunity of coaching Team Orange through the round robin portion of the Spring Prospects Camp. I'm happy to report back that the team finished second with a record of three wins and one loss and with a positive goal differential of seven. That's important because the coaching record for at least a few of us was fuel for bragging rights in the camp. The Spruce Kings marketing manager, Jim Young won those rights going undefeated in the camp including a win over Team Orange. Although Team Grey was the only team to have two coaches on the bench; Young enlisted the help of Randy Buffie, a scout with the team based on Vancouver Island.
Team Orange battled hard in their final game on Sunday morning giving me the chance to brag a little bit too with a win over Team White. Coached by Spruce Kings alumni Garry Vallentgoed, Team White had a 3-0 record heading into their final game and had a 2-0 lead after the first period of play. Standing on the bench normally occupied by the Spruce Kings in the regular season, I must have absorbed some of the magic from over the years and said something profoundly inspirational.
Team Orange scored three times in the second and three more times in the third while keeping Team White off the score sheet in those final forty minutes. What did I say you ask, well the answer is "one word. shots!" Seriously, that's what I told them while standing on that bench looking down at them as they rehydrated themselves. The players did the rest and rallied themselves on. One player in particular that impressed me was 6' 1" 200lbs Charlie Lake resident, Beaudon Lancaster.
Here was a kid that came to work hard as a sixteen year old and earn a look and maybe pick up an idea of what he would need to do to improve his game. Well if I can speak candidly, Beaudon showed that he had the right attitude. After the first game, Team Orange lost two of its five defencemen to minor injuries and Beaudon was the first to step up and offer to play on the back end.
Of all the pictures I took this weekend, the one I wish I could have captured came after Beaudon scored in the second period of that final game to open the scoring for Team Orange. I had been giving this big forward, who was filling in on defence, a couple of shifts up front with the instruction to go to the net and make it difficult for the other team. On this particular play, I told him again to go to the net off the faceoff. Winning the offensive draw, Dylan Lynum shot the puck towards the net and, after a short battle in front of the net, the puck found its way in to the back of the net off Lancaster's stick.
The lasting image I have is of a this big guy letting out a quiet "yes" and giving a short draw fist pump; it was the loudness of his smile that made it all worthwhile. With his job accomplished, he came back to the bench; when the ref came by to confirm who scored the goal, it was his teammates that all chimed in with his jersey number. Beaudon Lancaster never made it to the Top Prospects Game, but that one moment will be his lasting memory of the camp and made it all worthwhile. That one moment also bonded a group of players in to a team and provided the spark that resulted in the team picking up its third win of the weekend.
Showing posts with label Spring Camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring Camp. Show all posts
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Spring Camp 2010: Schedule
With over 120 players now registered for the Annual Spruce Kings Spring Prospects Camp, this coming weekend is going to be busy around the rink. Earlier today, the schedule of practices and games was made available showing a total of eight teams competing against each other in hour long sessions. Speaking with Mike Hawes, Spruce Kings Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel, this camp is expected to be one of the best the team has hosted with players coming from near and far.
For hockey fans in the city of Prince George, this weekend is expected to provide a full slate of competitive high-intensity mini games with the biggest game coming on Sunday afternoon. After every team gets their fair share of ice time, forty two players will be highlighted in a top prospects game. The game will be a full game and with parents, other players and fans in the stands, the feeling in the arena will be that of one so many have come to expect when visiting the Coliseum.
CLICK HERE to view the schedule on the Spruce Kings main website.
With all the registrations now in, the next step is to process all of those names with player stats and create the eight teams. The coaching and scouting staff will be busy balancing the teams in preparation for the arrival of the players on Friday morning. That task will begin in earnest Tuesday in the Spruce Kings office, but don't expect to see a roster list until Friday.The coaching and scouting staff will be busy balancing the teams in preparation for the arrival of the players on Friday morning.
Hope to see you at the rink ...
For hockey fans in the city of Prince George, this weekend is expected to provide a full slate of competitive high-intensity mini games with the biggest game coming on Sunday afternoon. After every team gets their fair share of ice time, forty two players will be highlighted in a top prospects game. The game will be a full game and with parents, other players and fans in the stands, the feeling in the arena will be that of one so many have come to expect when visiting the Coliseum.
CLICK HERE to view the schedule on the Spruce Kings main website.
With all the registrations now in, the next step is to process all of those names with player stats and create the eight teams. The coaching and scouting staff will be busy balancing the teams in preparation for the arrival of the players on Friday morning. That task will begin in earnest Tuesday in the Spruce Kings office, but don't expect to see a roster list until Friday.The coaching and scouting staff will be busy balancing the teams in preparation for the arrival of the players on Friday morning.
Hope to see you at the rink ...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
2010 Spring Camp: Sucession Planning
With the Spring Camp now just a week away I had an opportunity to understand the importance of it to both the players and the organization from Mike Hawes, the Spruce Kings Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel. With a question and answer session, Hawes provided some insight to the team's direction and expectations of this year's camp.
Ron Gallo (RG): "After a few successful camps over the past few years, the Spruce Kings are doing it again. What do you expect from this year's camp?"
Mike Hawes (MH): "You're right Ron, the Spring Camp has been very successful for us in recent years and I anticipate this year's camp to be no different. Recently the camp has drawn as many as 135 players which have been placed into eight very strong and competitive teams. This year's numbers will be close to that again and will make for another tremendous camp. What's nice is we get an opportunity to watch some of the best young hockey players in BC and throughout North American right here in our backyard."
RG: "What can these players expect to gain from attending the Spring Camp this year?"
MH: "The goal for most players attending the camp will be to earn an invitation back to our main training camp in August and then a roster spot on the team. For some of the younger player, who are not yet eligible to play in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), it gives them an opportunity to gauge themselves against some Junior 'A' caliber player. They will get to see what they need to do to elevate their game enough to play for the Spruce Kings down the road."
RG: "Do players at this year's Spring Camp have a real chance at cracking the Spruce Kings lineup for next season?"
MH: "Every year we've had players progress from the Spring Camp to the main camp and eventually to our hockey club all in succession. Last year's camp was very successful as we had six players from the Spring Camp make it onto our roster and play the whole season. What that means is that almost one third of last year's team was made up of players who started the process by attending the Spring Camp. That's what makes the Camp such a great endeavour to undertake, despite the long hours and hard work it takes to put it on. What makes this year's Camp even more appealing to players is the fact that we did not enjoy the type of on ice success last season that we had hoped for. This means that there will be a lot of on ice changes which opens up a lot of spots for players hoping to make our team and play in the best Junior 'A' league in Canada."
RG: "What format will the Camp follow this year? Will there be any changes from past years?"
MH: "There will be one significant change to this year's Spring Camp, we will be selecting the top 42 players during the Camp to participate in a Top Prospects Game on the afternoon of Day 3. Every player will register on the morning of Day 1 where they will receive their team assignment and schedule. Each team will practice that afternoon and then play a game that evening. Day 2 will feature two games for each team, each team will also play a game on the morning of Day 3 and the camp will conclude with the Top Prospects Game. every player is guaranteed one practice and four games with those players selected as a top prospect playing in a fifth game. The response from player and parents over the past few years has been tremendous in regards to the amount of ice time that each player receives at the Camp."
RG: "Is the Camp open to the public?"
MH: "Yes, the Camp is open to the public and our fans are encouraged to come down and see the future of the organization. There is no charge to take in the Camp and with all the parents and families of the players in attendance combined with our fans it will make for a great atmosphere, as always, at the Coliseum. The Camp gives our faithful fans an opportunity to see some great hockey in a great rink before summer is upon us."
RG: "Thanks Mike and good luck at this year's camp."
MH: "Thank you Ron."
Looking at the list of players registered for the Spruce Kings Spring Camp, I can tell you that all goaltender spots have been filled but there are still a few holes open for a couple of forwards and defencemen. Last minute registrations can be accepted but the sooner the better obviously ... CLICK HERE for more information, a map to the rink and to download a registration form.
Ron Gallo (RG): "After a few successful camps over the past few years, the Spruce Kings are doing it again. What do you expect from this year's camp?"
Mike Hawes (MH): "You're right Ron, the Spring Camp has been very successful for us in recent years and I anticipate this year's camp to be no different. Recently the camp has drawn as many as 135 players which have been placed into eight very strong and competitive teams. This year's numbers will be close to that again and will make for another tremendous camp. What's nice is we get an opportunity to watch some of the best young hockey players in BC and throughout North American right here in our backyard."
RG: "What can these players expect to gain from attending the Spring Camp this year?"
MH: "The goal for most players attending the camp will be to earn an invitation back to our main training camp in August and then a roster spot on the team. For some of the younger player, who are not yet eligible to play in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), it gives them an opportunity to gauge themselves against some Junior 'A' caliber player. They will get to see what they need to do to elevate their game enough to play for the Spruce Kings down the road."
RG: "Do players at this year's Spring Camp have a real chance at cracking the Spruce Kings lineup for next season?"
MH: "Every year we've had players progress from the Spring Camp to the main camp and eventually to our hockey club all in succession. Last year's camp was very successful as we had six players from the Spring Camp make it onto our roster and play the whole season. What that means is that almost one third of last year's team was made up of players who started the process by attending the Spring Camp. That's what makes the Camp such a great endeavour to undertake, despite the long hours and hard work it takes to put it on. What makes this year's Camp even more appealing to players is the fact that we did not enjoy the type of on ice success last season that we had hoped for. This means that there will be a lot of on ice changes which opens up a lot of spots for players hoping to make our team and play in the best Junior 'A' league in Canada."
RG: "What format will the Camp follow this year? Will there be any changes from past years?"
MH: "There will be one significant change to this year's Spring Camp, we will be selecting the top 42 players during the Camp to participate in a Top Prospects Game on the afternoon of Day 3. Every player will register on the morning of Day 1 where they will receive their team assignment and schedule. Each team will practice that afternoon and then play a game that evening. Day 2 will feature two games for each team, each team will also play a game on the morning of Day 3 and the camp will conclude with the Top Prospects Game. every player is guaranteed one practice and four games with those players selected as a top prospect playing in a fifth game. The response from player and parents over the past few years has been tremendous in regards to the amount of ice time that each player receives at the Camp."
RG: "Is the Camp open to the public?"
MH: "Yes, the Camp is open to the public and our fans are encouraged to come down and see the future of the organization. There is no charge to take in the Camp and with all the parents and families of the players in attendance combined with our fans it will make for a great atmosphere, as always, at the Coliseum. The Camp gives our faithful fans an opportunity to see some great hockey in a great rink before summer is upon us."
RG: "Thanks Mike and good luck at this year's camp."
MH: "Thank you Ron."
Looking at the list of players registered for the Spruce Kings Spring Camp, I can tell you that all goaltender spots have been filled but there are still a few holes open for a couple of forwards and defencemen. Last minute registrations can be accepted but the sooner the better obviously ... CLICK HERE for more information, a map to the rink and to download a registration form.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Inside the 2010 Spring Camp
Checking in on the goings on in the office you will find that things are a lot busier than might be expected. The biggest item coming up is the annual Spring Camp where a long list of players that have been identified by the scouting staff throughout the season are given an invite to come and show off their skills in the Coliseum. The Spring Camp this year will run from Friday April 9 - Sunday April 11 with over one hundred players expected to be on the ice.
Some of the players that will be coming are familiar names from previous seasons and there are also a few others that have been to previous spring and main camps. It is safe to say; however, that a majority of the players coming in for the weekend will be new to those who follow the team.
Based on itineraries from previous camps, players will start arriving at the Coliseum before noon on Friday to check in and receive their team assignments for the weekend. The early afternoon will be reserved for an on-ice introduction to the Spruce Kings coaching staff and basic practice plans. Scrimmages will begin later that evening and continue through Saturday and Sunday.
As more details are made available, I will be putting them on here including a final schedule of practices and scrimmages/games. For those interested in checking out the camp a little closer, the Coliseum will be open for the curious and the die-hard. If you can't make it down to the rink, I will be coaching one team and blogging before and after the games I am on the bench for.
Some of the players that will be coming are familiar names from previous seasons and there are also a few others that have been to previous spring and main camps. It is safe to say; however, that a majority of the players coming in for the weekend will be new to those who follow the team.
Based on itineraries from previous camps, players will start arriving at the Coliseum before noon on Friday to check in and receive their team assignments for the weekend. The early afternoon will be reserved for an on-ice introduction to the Spruce Kings coaching staff and basic practice plans. Scrimmages will begin later that evening and continue through Saturday and Sunday.
As more details are made available, I will be putting them on here including a final schedule of practices and scrimmages/games. For those interested in checking out the camp a little closer, the Coliseum will be open for the curious and the die-hard. If you can't make it down to the rink, I will be coaching one team and blogging before and after the games I am on the bench for.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
President's Report - 2008/09
by Darcy Buryn, President, Prince George Spruce Kings Junior A Hockey Club.
On ice, our team finished fifth in the regular season in a very competitive Interior Conference and then went on to an exciting five game first round series loss to the Penticton Vees.
Coming out of the 2007/08 season, I set out the following two overriding principles that we as a board use to guide us in the decisions that we make and the issues that we face:
We are making progress in this regard, but look forward to the opportunity to continue.
As evidence of the progress we are making in the development of our program, six players on our roster this season received scholarship commitments to NCAA schools to date. I had the opportunity to watch two NCAA games in Denver this past season and the players graduating from our program to that level are in for a exciting phase of their hockey careers.
Also former Spruce Kings goaltender, Brad Thiessen signed a professional contract this season at the conclusion of his third NCAA season and then had the opportunity to travel with the Pittsburgh Penguins on their road to the Stanley Cup, culminating in joining the team for their on-ice celebration and being handed the Cup by Sidney Crosby.
Wes McLeod committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage, attracted the attention of the NHL's central scouting bureau and we are hoping to hear his name called in this weekend's NHL Entry Draft in Montreal.
We have recently committed to Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes for the next two seasons to continue their efforts to push our hockey program forward.
We held our second consecutive evaluation camp in April, with players attending from throughout the Province of BC as well as Alberta and Ontario. There were also a number of players that came from California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, Alaska and Arizona. Several players from that camp have received invitations to the 2009 main camp in August. Four players from the Spring camp have also accepted cards to join our roster for the 2009/10 season.
The 2009 Show Home lottery brought us the second consecutive sell-out of available tickets. Despite the revenue generated from the sell-out, we continue to be challenged by the rising construction and land development costs. Also, the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation has informed us that they are going to run a house lottery of their own. They tried to get it together for the Spring of 2009, but were not successful and will try again in Spring 2010.
The dates of the 2010 Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery period will commence again in October with the draw to be held again on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010. We have also decided to increase the tickets to be sold in the coming Lottery to 7,499.
I would like to commend the efforts of Jim Young and his sales staff, including my dad Wally, who is celebrating his 70th birthday tonight, in leading us to a sell-out of tickets.
As the governor of the team, I have attended several league meetings and conference calls. I have given up my role as the Chair of the Education Committee for the League to focus on the League financial and budgeting process, working closely with David Sales, executive director of the BCHL.
Darcy Buryn.
On ice, our team finished fifth in the regular season in a very competitive Interior Conference and then went on to an exciting five game first round series loss to the Penticton Vees.
Coming out of the 2007/08 season, I set out the following two overriding principles that we as a board use to guide us in the decisions that we make and the issues that we face:
Make the Prince George Spruce Kings a team of choice for players who want to play in the British Columbia Hockey League.
Develop an organizational culture whereby those players expect of themselves, and feel a responsibility on behalf of the entire organization, to play every shift of every game until there are no games left on the schedule.
We are making progress in this regard, but look forward to the opportunity to continue.
As evidence of the progress we are making in the development of our program, six players on our roster this season received scholarship commitments to NCAA schools to date. I had the opportunity to watch two NCAA games in Denver this past season and the players graduating from our program to that level are in for a exciting phase of their hockey careers.
Also former Spruce Kings goaltender, Brad Thiessen signed a professional contract this season at the conclusion of his third NCAA season and then had the opportunity to travel with the Pittsburgh Penguins on their road to the Stanley Cup, culminating in joining the team for their on-ice celebration and being handed the Cup by Sidney Crosby.
Wes McLeod committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage, attracted the attention of the NHL's central scouting bureau and we are hoping to hear his name called in this weekend's NHL Entry Draft in Montreal.
We have recently committed to Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes for the next two seasons to continue their efforts to push our hockey program forward.
We held our second consecutive evaluation camp in April, with players attending from throughout the Province of BC as well as Alberta and Ontario. There were also a number of players that came from California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, Alaska and Arizona. Several players from that camp have received invitations to the 2009 main camp in August. Four players from the Spring camp have also accepted cards to join our roster for the 2009/10 season.
The 2009 Show Home lottery brought us the second consecutive sell-out of available tickets. Despite the revenue generated from the sell-out, we continue to be challenged by the rising construction and land development costs. Also, the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation has informed us that they are going to run a house lottery of their own. They tried to get it together for the Spring of 2009, but were not successful and will try again in Spring 2010.
The dates of the 2010 Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery period will commence again in October with the draw to be held again on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010. We have also decided to increase the tickets to be sold in the coming Lottery to 7,499.
I would like to commend the efforts of Jim Young and his sales staff, including my dad Wally, who is celebrating his 70th birthday tonight, in leading us to a sell-out of tickets.
As the governor of the team, I have attended several league meetings and conference calls. I have given up my role as the Chair of the Education Committee for the League to focus on the League financial and budgeting process, working closely with David Sales, executive director of the BCHL.
Darcy Buryn.
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