By Drew Wilson

Raider spring camp hailed a huge success

Jun 3, 2013 | 10:05 AM

Twenty-five Prince Albert Raider prospects are home preparing for rookie camp.

They went through an intense two days of fitness testing, seminars and on ice workouts over the weekend. The camp started Friday afternoon in Prince Albert with tours of the dressing room and Carlton Comprehensive High School. It wrapped up in Saskatoon after the final on ice session at the University of Saskatchewan's Rutherford rink.

The camp was the first exposure to the Raider organization and life in the Western Hockey League for most, including fifth-round draft choice Luke Coleman.

“I think it's a really good organization,” said the Red Deer Bantam Rebel grad. “Some of the most important things I learned were really getting down to the techniques and really perfecting everything you can.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by fourth round draft choice Dylan Williamson who spent last season in the Alberta Bantam AAA league with the Calgary Bisons.

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

11h ago

WORLD SOFTBALL

Group stages officially set for Men's Softball World Cup in P.A.

17h ago

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

Apr 23, 2024

“I think I learned the life of a WHL player, like it's all high tempo, you always have to be at the top of your game, you can never have breaks and the food an nutrition is one of the most important things.”

Sixteen-year-old defenseman Jared Coghill has experienced a WHL training camp. However the former Vancouver Giants prospect who was also considering an American College scholarship is now locked in on a WHL career.

“Well after this camp I definitely think the PA Raiders is my main goal.” said the 2012 sixtth-round pick of the Vancouver Giants.

“It was a spectacular camp and I hope to be back here in the fall.”

Director of Player Personnel Dale Derkatch says there were no major surprises but it was a positive weekend for all involved.

“I really liked our on ice stuff, it was quick and the kids listened well, they worked hard.”

Derkatch said it was also a success off the ice.

“Our seminars were really good, very informative, gives the kids a little bit of knowledge of what they might expect when they play in the Western Hockey League.”

The next step is preparing for rookie camp in late August. Coleman who had 17 goals and 22 assists in 32 games last season is confident he will be ready.

“I will be a lot better prepared. I'll know what to do, all the on ice and off ice stuff and it will be a lot easier for me out there.”

Williamson who also had 41 points last season (23 goals, 18 assist in 30 games), knows exactly what he needs to work on over the summer.

“I want to be able to get my core strength back up because it's one of the characteristics of a hockey player.”

Coghill is also focused on specific areas of his game between now and rookie camp.

“My balance and foot speed is the most important, then probably my hands (puck handling and passing).”

Derkatch said all players were encouraged to work hard over the summer to prepare for a very competitive rookie camp.

“It was very competitive here in the spring camp.” said Derkatch. However he said it will be a much tougher challenge in August.

“In this situation the guys weren't really playing for keeps, like they are trying to make the team. So I would suspect when we get to main camp for the rookie part of it, they (players) will go hard and we will see some physical play which we didn't see in spring camp.”

One of the highlights of the final on ice session came at the end of the shootout. Goalie Rylan Parenteau scored on his counterpart Nick McBride finishing a forehand-backhand deke after doing a Parenteau-ian 'spin-a-rama' at the blue line.

Although there was a good pace throughout the weekend, which included some lighter moments, intensity will pick in August when spots at main camp, and some some the hockey team will be on the line.

dwilson@panow.com

Twitter: @RaidersVoice