Bisons look to versatility this season

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

After a month of hard decisions came to a conclusion, the CFR Bisons have announced their much-anticipated 20-man roster that will lead the charge this season.
A total of 102 hopeful athletes tried out for the team over a one-month span. While picking the team, speed was a priority, which was blatant during the camp.
Then, after a few weeks of deliberation, the roster was finally released earlier last week.
“I think we like our team speed, that’s one of things we identified in camp,” said Henry. “You got to assess your group and say ‘what are we missing here,’ those last few guys were pretty role specific,” said head coach Sandy Henry. “They had a specific type of game that we knew we needed that maybe some other guys didn’t have.”
A key element for this team will be speed, the ability to skate and receive a pass at a full stride, and to be physical on the opposition by finishing their checks at every opportunity.
“I think we’re fairly physical,” said Henry. “We have the ability to close time and space and get our checks finished. When we do that we’re forcing a lot of pucks into spots that the other teams don’t necessarily want to put them.”
He does not expect the team to peak right away, but the goal will be to be to develop and work towards being the best team at the end of the season going into playoffs.
“The most critical thing is developing the team and playing all 20 guys,” said Henry.
“Are we going to give up some wins doing that? I don’t know if we do. If we do, so be it. We’re not worried about that. Obviously, we got to stay in the race … we want to be a team that peaks in February when playoff time comes and just get on that roll we had last year. I think that’s a perfect scenario, develop, develop, develop and peak when it matters.”
Newly appointed captain Kyle Gordon will be leading the herd this season with hopes of carrying over the success from last season’s run.
“It’s nice to be recognized like that,” said Gordon. “I’m just happy to be a part of it with five other vets. We’re all going to be leaders and we’re all vocal guys in the dressing room and hope to keep the guys happy. The only thing I can bring is helping them get to where we were last year. At the start of the year, last year, I was kind of like some of the guys here. Not tied into the system yet. Our job as leaders is to bring them into the system as quick as we can and make sure everyone fits where they’re suppose to.”
Gordon will carry forward his previous experience of working hard and now knows how hard you have to work to win games and out battle the other teams.
Local rookie Cole Clayton was left in awe of being named to the 20-man roster.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Clayton. “This is the next step from bantam triple-A, coming here and working hard all summer to make this team. To finally make this team is an awesome feeling.”
The Bisons will open up the season up on Oct. 2 at home against the Calgary Royals at 8 p.m. and will play the Medicine Hat Tigers on Oct. 4 (2 p.m.).