Kings looking top in spring camp

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Wheatland Kings are holding their spring camp from April 28-30 (7-11 p.m. each night) at the Strathmore Family Centre and head coach Jeremy Blumes expects it to be a competitive camp as there are many spots to fill for next season.
“We’ve probably got a dozen or so listed right now and we’re looking for close to 80 – we’re looking for guys that can skate, think the game and most of all, guys that have real good character,” said Blumes. “It’s an opportunity for the players to see what we have to offer in terms of a junior B option as an organization.”
Blumes added that there is a competition amongst junior B clubs in terms of recruitment for players and to sell their brand of hockey plays a contributing factor in luring top talent.
“Realistically, there is a lot of competition amongst junior B teams in terms of recruiting players,” said Blumes. “I’d like to think that after one season back in the league, we can be a development program where you’re going to see players moving on to the next level, having fun and paying not even one tenth of the cost to go play in the KIJHL or other leagues.”
The returning players have been notified to come back to this camp and compete for spots.
“We’ve told all of our returning players that we want them to attend because a big part of recruiting is the guys that you’re going to be playing with and I think we have a lot of good character guys that come to the rink with smiles on their faces and make it a fun place to play,” said Blumes. “Our returnees will be attending camp and I think they’re going to be doing as much recruiting as I’m going to be.”
He is expecting bigger things from the returning cast.
“We expect them to play next season and play bigger roles than they did the year before, but that being said, the great thing about our game is it’s a competitive game and some of these younger players come in and play their way up the line-up,” said Blumes. “It’s an audition for anybody, there’s no guarantees in this game and I think some of our veteran players learnt that tough lesson last year.”
Blumes is looking for players born during the years 1997 through 2000 to attend the camp. The cost to register is $50 a player.