Looking forward to camp battles

Training camp starts Sept. 4 in Eston - eight days from now.

For a team with only three grads, you'd think there wouldn't be a lot of competition for spots. And while there won't be a ton of players invited - my guess would be around 35 - there should be some interesting battles at every position.

With some of the talent coming in, don't be too surprised if a returning player doesn't hang onto his spot.

Up front, Andrew Dommett, Braeden Adamyk, Johnny Calkins, Taylor Duzan and Sanfred King will play on the top two lines, with the likes of Jordon Hoffman, Braeden Johnson, Ryan Benn and Tanner Exner also in the mix.

Grinders Taylor Wasden, Jesse Mysiorek and Beau Taylor are back, and newly signed forwards Brett Penner, Pearce Gourley, Justin Gerwing and Kiley Long will be looking to grab spots as well.

Then there's the case of local boy Riley Down, a natural defenceman who was shifted to the wing at times last year to get him some ice time. He excelled as a forward down the stretch and in the playoffs, scoring some crucial goals for the Klips. With all those forwards, you'd think Down would go back to defence, but he played on a line with Benn and Mysiorek at summer camp. Personally, I think he's more effective on a checking unit, where he immediately becomes the biggest forward on the team.

Speaking of the blueline, Steven Turner was the only grad. It's also looking like 19-year-old David Ahl, a mid-season acquisition, won't be back.

That leaves 20-year-olds Kurt Leedahl and John Sonntag, who will anchor the unit, along with Lance Tabin and Kindersley's Sean Flanagan.

Brett Blatz and Nick Eliason will be in the mix for the last three spots, but don't be surprised if Wintoneak adds a top four rearguard via trade and maybe a depth defenceman as well.

In goal, 20-year-old Scott Hellyer has the inside track for starting duties, but will be pushed in camp by '92 Justin McDonald, '93 Patrick Johnson and a fourth goaltender.

I'm not looking forward to more trips to Eston, and the organization can't wait to get back into its own digs, but you have to admire and respect the hospitality shown by the town of Eston, the rec board and community at large over the past eight months. The two towns have always been hated hockey rivals but this whole thing has shown Kindersley that there are some awfully good people in Eston.