Mel Hegland Uniplex is one of two locations where the main camp is taking place. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

scouting

La Ronge Ice Wolves hosting main camp this weekend

Sep 17, 2020 | 3:01 PM

There will be more than 80 hockey players from throughout western Canada in the tri-communities Friday looking to earn a spot with the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

Tomorrow marks the first day of the team’s main camp, which will be held at the Mel Hegland Uniplex, as well as the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC). Ice Wolves Head Coach Kevin Kaminski said the players will be broken down into teams of 14 and they will play in a round-robin style on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Scouting will begin at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Mel.

The Mel Hegland Uniplex currently has a maximum capacity of 60 people, while JRMCC has a capacity of 45.

“With the rinks only allowed to have [so many] spectators in the rink, a lot of these kids have travelled from B.C. and Alberta with families,” Kaminski said. “Families will come first and, if there is seating capacity left, then our fans can come in and watch after that.”

With the Canada-United States border still closed, there will be no Americans attending the main camp. Kaminski explained that’s a bit discouraging, but he’ll have to pick the right Canadian talent who have the skill and chemistry to be as successful as last season. Last season, five Americans played with the Ice Wolves.

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Kaminki also mentioned having so many people come to La Ronge will bring economic activity to the tri-communities. He noted hotels are booked solid, adding restaurants, grocery stores and more will benefit too.

“We’re probably going to have to get down to maybe 40 on Sunday, then we will have a couple more inter-squad games at the Mel with one for sure Monday,” Kaminski said. “We were supposed to play Flin Flon on Tuesday, an exhibition game, but I don’t think that’s happening right now.”

All those who attend the camp will be pre-screened upon arrival and they will need to adhere to all sanitization guidelines.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is expected to begin its regular season Oct. 9.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno