Future Kings conditioned for season ahead

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Wheatland Kings coaching staff put players through their paces last week and for many of them it was a chance to leave an impression on the club’s new brass with the possibility of an invite to main camp
“We’re mainly here to condition kids for camps,” said Kings head coach Joel Robinson. “It’s been a really successful camp from the standpoint of conditioning. From a coaching standpoint you can’t really ask for more, guys are coming out, they’re working hard and that’s the biggest thing when it comes down to a conditioning camp is the work ethic. I can only thank these kids and every one of them wanting to be here and not just using it as a Sunday skate.”
He said that this was a great start in terms of getting to know the other coaches and a first hand look at where some players will fit on this year’s roster.
From what Robinson had seen so far, there is a good mix of players that could have the potential of making this team.
“You’ve got your 16-year-olds, you got your 21-year-olds and the guys that played with Strathmore last year,” said Robinson. “I think for us trying to build a team this year, we’ve talked about from Day 1 that when I signed on, it’s respect. It’s having a team that can compete night in and night out. I think this conditioning camp is a great way to get those kids that you want to see what their work ethic is like, see what’s it’s maybe going to be like with a new head coach and all the responses I have from the vets, the rookies and the kids that are getting their first ice time is that they’re buying in.”
Returning forward Chris Williams said he is getting a good feel as to what the coaching staff wants from their players and what kind of shape they want their players to be in.
“Basically just shaking off the rust and looking forward to main camp and so on into the season,” said Williams. “This camp, they’ve got some good people beating us into shape here, so feeling good, goes to show how out of shape you feel when you come back to the rink this time of year.”
Former Wheatland Chiefs forward Cole Busslinger was a fan of the skating portion of the camp because he feels that it has improved his stride.
“The skates are pretty good,” said Busslinger. “I’ve never done like ‘baggers’ like that before. Everyone’s bigger and stronger and little bit more skilled.”
Busslinger also liked the camp for compete level and how you stack up against players he might be battling for a roster spot with.