Click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter
The main camp begins tonight in Saskatoon. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)
preseason

Ice Wolves ready for main camp in Saskatoon this weekend

Aug 26, 2022 | 5:10 PM

It’s been a busy week for the La Ronge Ice Wolves as the team hosted its annual summer hockey school and prepare for the main camp in Saskatoon this weekend.

In all, 56 participants between the ages of five and 17 took part in the school, which focused on fundamental skill development and teamwork building. The hockey school ran from Aug. 22–25 and it involved both on-ice and off-ice training.

“There was a lot of power skating, a lot of head work, some skills,” Ice Wolves head coach Kevin Kaminski said. “They were a focused group. They really took it all in and learned a lot. They were rewarded with a full game yesterday with a barbecue and awards after. It was a great group to coach and the instructors did an awesome job.”

Kaminski is currently in Saskatoon getting ready for the main camp, which starts tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rod Hamm Arena. He explained there are four teams comprised of 80 players from across Western Canada and the United States.

The main camp will continue until Monday and Kaminski expects 35–40 players will be selected to travel to La Ronge on Tuesday. There will be intersquad games at the Mel Hegland Uniplex on Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. and the public is invited to come out to watch.

“We’re back at it, summer is over,” he said. “All of the new kids coming in got to show their stuff and show their sacrifice, their work ethic, their commitment, skill, speed, all that stuff. They have to put it all together this weekend in order to advance to make it to La Ronge.”

With eight forwards having aged out of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Kaminski noted he will be looking to replace what he lost upfront. He and fellow staff have been looking for some players who are known as goal scorers.

“I think we’ve done that,” he said. “Now, wherever they come from, they are going to have to adjust a little bit to the SJHL game, which is a grind day in and day out.”

Season tickets are now available for purchase and they can be picked up at the Ice Wolves office in La Ronge. Those interested in buying tickets should call 1-306-420-4386. Tickets can also be purchased online.

The Ice Wolves will play five exhibition games before the regular season with only one occurring in La Ronge on Sept. 2 against the Flin Flon Bombers at 7:30 p.m. The home opener is Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. against the Nipawin Hawks.

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno