La Ronge Ice Wolves Associate Coach Gaelan Patterson and Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

New Coach

Ice Wolves recruitment ‘paying off’ with promising commitments

Jun 26, 2019 | 4:53 PM

La Ronge Ice Wolves Head Coach Kevin Kaminski has been busy recruiting since accepting the position back in April and has travelled to place like Calgary and Las Vegas searching for players.

“Our scouts have been very busy giving us names for us to call and to try and recruit them to come here,” he said. “I think the time we are putting in is finally paying off and it’s exciting to see the results that we’re getting with the kids committing to La Ronge.”

There have been some major signings by the Ice Wolves recently including 20-year-old forward Daylon Mannon and 18-year-old forward Nikolai Rajala. Mannon, who Kaminski has coached with the Fresno Monsters in the past, earned 75 goals and 75 assists in the Western States Hockey League. Rajala comes from Greenway High School in Minnesota where he served as team captain and was one of the best in the state.

“I know what he can do,” Kaminski said of Mannon. “He has a knack to score. His offensive instincts are unbelievable, and he knows how to finish. That’s just a couple pieces to the puzzle with those guys.”

Overall, Kaminski stated there was a lack of scoring last season, adding 12 wins isn’t good enough. He expects when the Ice Wolves host its training camp in August, there will stiff competition to earn a spot on the team. With many returning players from last season, Kaminski said he already told rookies and others that training camp will be an opportunity for them to show they have what it takes to be there.

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That message was reiterated by Patterson who mentioned players will have to fight for a spot and that’s how it should be. He also stated it’s been an ‘eye-opening’ experience to see all the players who are recruitable.

“It’s a privilege to play Junior ‘A’ hockey and it’s a privilege to play in La Ronge,” Patterson said.

The Ice Wolves also have some events throughout the summer for the public including X-Fit Summer Hockey Training from July 22 to 25. That will be held at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre and include off-ice hockey skills, dry land sessions and CrossFit training for those between the ages of five and 17.

Between Aug. 26 to 29, both coaches will host a Summer Hockey School at La Ronge’s Mel Hegland Uniplex. This camp will include on-ice instruction, learning the fundamentals of hockey, dry land training and team building sessions. It’s also for those between the ages of five and 17.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

by Derek Cornet

Ice Wolves recruitment ‘paying off’ with promising commitments

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