A handful of skaters really caught the eye of 100 Mile House Wranglers coach Dale “Duner” Hladun at the local Junior B hockey club's main camp, Aug. 22-24.
The organization is readying for its second season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League following a second round playoff berth in its inaugural run in 2013-14.
While the roster is far from set, with a slew of exhibitions games slated in early September, Hladun likes a lot of what he saw on the ice at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre during skill sessions and scrimmages over the weekend.
“I can see this club really throwing that puck around. There's a lot of good offense. I think there will be some exciting hockey in [the Doug Birks Division]. I sense we'll have our share of players that will bring you out of your seat.”
He mentions the Chase Heat and Kamloops Storm – Wranglers' division rivals and playoff match-ups last season – as having big home ice surfaces, and the coach wants a Wranglers team that can skate well, move the puck around, and play “fire-wagon hockey.”
The main camp saw 43 players; half a dozen or so veterans from last year's team. The coach mentions a few new players from Williams Lake, Quesnel, Terrace and Prince George as standouts, suggesting his plan of unearthing northern talent is working out. Hladun also says there's a good chance Magnus Viberg and Kristian Stead will return as Wranglers goaltenders, but adds there's another young and talented Prince George goalie, Quinn Ferris, in the hunt for a spot.
However, there's need, and time, for further evaluation, he explains. Five exhibition games are still on the horizon and cuts are expected to trickle down from Junior A clubs as they finalize their rosters, potentially making more players available.
In the interim, Hladun is keeping his phone handy.
“The majority of the team will be formed right before the regular season starts [on Sept. 12], but I think the full roster will probably be [made] in mid, late September,” he says. “That is the nature of the beast.”
The Wranglers play exhibition games against the Chase Heat on Sept. 5-6; against the Kelowna Chiefs in Chase on Sept. 6; against the Kamloops Storm in Williams Lake on Sept. 9; and against the Storm in 100 Mile House on Sept. 10.
On Sept. 9, a Junior A exhibition game between the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League is taking place at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre.
