Just over 70 young men will hit the ice over the next four days, trying to crack the roster for the 2014-2015 edition of the Winkler Flyers. With 14 players from last years’ squad eligible to return this season, the competition for available spots will be exciting to watch.
The Flyers graduated seven players last season including goaltender Mitch Maraschiello, defenseman Jacob Uglem & Sean Collins, forwards Travis Marit, Michael Sofillas and Joel Allarie along with captain Regan Stire.
Flyers Head Coach and General Manager Ken Pearson made a number of moves to improve the club over the off season. He acquired forward Patrice Wren, who won the RBC Cup in the spring of 2012 with the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Canada Hockey League. Forward Cameron White and defenseman Jon Carlson were acquired in a three-team deal involving the Portage Terriers and Dauphin Kings. Forward Matthew Bullard was obtained from the Steinbach Pistons and forward Hayden-James Berra was dealt to the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for future considerations.
The Flyers Main Camp will begin Wednesday evening with a series of practices. Thursday and Friday will feature a four team tournament followed by the Orange vs Black Intra-squad game, Saturday, August 30th at 12:00pm at the Winkler Recreation Complex. All events are free of charge, including the Intra-squad game.
Here is a complete schedule of the Flyers Main Camp Events.
AUGUST 27 – 30, 2014
WINKLER RECREATION COMPLEX
CAMP SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27TH
Registration (Arena Lobby) ………………………3:00pm – 4:30pm
Practice One (Black) ……………………………………5:00pm – 5:45pm
Practice Two (White) …………………………………..6:00pm – 6:45pm
Practice Three (Orange) ………………………………7:00pm – 7:45pm
Practice Four (Grey) ……………………………………8:00pm – 8:45pm
THURSDAY, AUG. 28th
Game One (Black vs White) …………………………9:00am
Game Two (Orange vs Grey) ……………………….10:45am
Game Three (Black vs Orange) …………………… 4:00pm
Game Four (White vs Grey) ………………………….5:45pm
FRIDAY, AUG. 29th
Game Five (Black vs Grey) ………………………….10:00am
(player meetings to follow in Flyers Office)
Game Six (White vs Orange) ……………………….1:00pm
(player meetings to follow in Flyers Office)
SATURDAY, AUG. 30th
Orange and Black Intrasquad Game ……………..12:00pm
(player meetings to follow in Flyers Office)