The first rookie scrimmages went off tonight with a few players showing off some skill and others with some physicality.
The Saturday morning report which will be posted here in the AM, includes some words from 16 year-old D Josh Connolly - the Blazers 3rd round pick in 2010. He played well despite his team losing 3-2 in a shootout in the 2nd scrimmage.
Had a chance to sit down with San Jose Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan who's son Tyson is in camp. Todd and I have some ties back to Swift Current. He was inducted into their Hall of Fame last summer for his time there as a Head Coach/General Manager with the Broncos. In fact he said the last junior hockey he's been around was back in Swift Current in the spring of 2000. From there, he joined the pro ranks with the AHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks and will be entering his 4th season with the Sharks next month.
Tyson received four WHL camp invites but sat down and made the decision to come to Kamloops on his own. He's playing up-front for Team Blue during rookie scrimmages.
Some interesting notes from camp (courtesy Kamloops Blazers)
There are currently 68 players in rookie camp (BC – 44, AB – 12, SK – 6, MB – 2, USA – 4) and 28 players in main camp (BC – 7, AB –8, SK – 5, MB – 1, USA – 3, SVK – 1, GER – 1).
Chase Souto, who was on the Blazers roster last season and brother Cole Souto, a free agent invite, are the only brothers at training camp.
Out of the 98 players in camp, 7 of them are Kamloops’ natives. This includes Ryan Hanes who is entering his third season with the hockey club, and 2011 9th round draft pick Liam McLeod.
There are four players whose Father’s have coached in the WHL. Free Agent invite Tyson McLellan from San Jose, CA is the son of former Swift Current Broncos Head Coach, Todd McLellan. Todd currently coaches the San Jose Sharks of the NHL. Free Agent invite Cooper Holick is the son of former Kootenay Ice Head Coach, Mark Holick. Mark currently coaches the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. Blazers’ 7th round pick in 2010, MacKenzie Ferner is the son of former Blazers Head Coach, and current Everett Silvertips Head Coach, Mark Ferner. Finally, the Blazers’ 3rd round pick in 2011, Conner Clouston, is the son of Medicine Hat Tigers Head Coach, Shaun Clouston.
Blazers import defenseman Marek Hrbas arrived in Kamloops late Friday evening. The 18-year-old, who was acquired from the Edmonton Oil Kings in the summer, will skate for the first time tomorrow afternoon at 3:00pm.
Injury Report: Matt Needham, day-to-day, Elbow
Recap:
SCRIMMAGE #1 at 5:30 PM
Team White 9, Team Blue 5
SCRIMMAGE #2 at 7:30 PM
Team Black 3, Team Orange 2
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011
9:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Rookie Game- Black vs. Blue
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Rookie Goalies
12:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Rookie Game- Orange vs. White
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Main Camp Practice
5:30 PM - 7:15 PM
Rookie Game- Orange vs. Blue
7:30 PM - 9:15 PM
Rookie Game- White vs. Black
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