Up-and-comers with the Brandon Wheat Kings are being put to the test at the club’s annual prospects camp, running Friday through Sunday at the Keystone Centre.
"Prospects camp has proven to be a really important weekend, a real important step in the process for our team," general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon told CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston.
The camp features players born in 1997, 1998 and 1999, and with each age group comes different expectations.
Highly touted first rounders Nolan Patrick and Kale Clague, along with homegrown talents Tanner Kaspick and Ty Lewis are among the 16-year-old’s taking part.
"With those older players that are at prospects camp and most cases for the third time, you’re looking for those guys to show that they’re ready to play on our team this fall," said McCrimmon. "With the ’98’s, for this year’s camp, it’s an exciting age group for us based on the success that we feel we had on draft day."
#1 overall pick Stelio Mattheos leads the crop of newcomers getting their official introduction to the organization.
"Some of those players have never been to Brandon, seen our facilities, that type of thing. It’s in effect orientation weekend for those guys," said McCrimmon. "The thing that’s really valuable with it is they go from being drafted by Wheat Kings on May 1st to, not even a month later, having the opportunity to feel part of it. That’s really special for those players and their families.
The camp comes to a close on Sunday with an intra-squad game at Westman Place at 9 a.m.
"When the camp is over you want to have a clear understanding both from the organizations standout, and players standpoint, what your expectations are of that player for fall camp," added McCrimmon.
2014 Prospects Camp Schedule
Friday, May 23rd
3:00 p.m. Goalie session (45 mins)
4:15 p.m. Team White practice (45 mins)
5:30 p.m. Team Black practice (45 mins)
Saturday, May 24th
8:30 a.m. 4-vs-4 – Team Black vs Team White
10:15 a.m. Goalie session (60 mins)
Sunday, May 25th
9:00-11:00 a.m. Team Black vs Team White Intra-squad Game
