With only a few days left before the puck drops on the 2009/10 season, the Prince George Spruce Kings have a roster of twenty six players and have to get down to twenty three. The main camp did start with over sixty players looking for those available spots and along the way cuts were made that brought the list down to its current numbers. There are still three more cuts that must be made and at least one of those will come from the list of returning players as a result of the overage rule limiting the number of twenty year olds to six.
I personally can not image how difficult this process must be for both the players and the hockey operations staff. In a brief conversation with Ed Demspey, the head coach and general manager admitted to me that this is the toughest part of training camp as he acknowledged players that were here deserved to be here. So it comes down to a numbers game and reeks of a reality TV show where someone will have to be voted off the ice and asked to take their gear from the dressing room.
Over the next couple of days I will be taking a few minutes to provide a closer look at the players currently on the roster. As you might expect it is easier to examine the returning players, so I shall begin there. Right now there are thirteen players that are considered returning players; eleven of them are true returnees while the other two were off season acquisitions.
In that group, there are a number of key players that will be expected to fill key roles for the season. Each and every one of them has shown that they are taking this year seriously for their own advancement and the success of the team. From the role of number one goaltender, to blue chip blue liners and offensive production up front, the returnees have all these positions covered. Part 2 of "Taking a Closer Look" provides a brief summary of each of these players that are currently in the dressing room. I hope you enjoy my "scouting reports" and encourage you to leave your comments.
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