Go big or stay home. That was the prevailing philosophy last weekend as the U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers staged their spring identification camp at Servus Sports Centre.
More than 100 elite hockey prospects participated in three days of practices and games, trying to impress new coach Chris King and his assistants.
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“We’ve got about 110 kids here this weekend, and then we’ve got probably 10 or 12 that aren’t here, so it’s a very large camp,” King said Sunday as players lined up for exit meetings with him.
“I’m starting fresh with this program. It’s like a retooling, so we want to look at as many guys as possible.”
After the weekend skates, King and his associates reduced the Lancers’ tryout roster to the 40-man range for spring and summer workouts, leading up to the main training camp Aug. 24-28.
The U18 AAA Lancers have nowhere to go but up in the Alberta Elite Hockey League. They finished last in the 16-team provincial league, posting just six wins and 15 points in 38 games.
“A lot,” a smiling King replied when asked what it would take to turn Lloyd into a competitive program. “I think they lacked a lot in goal-scoring, and they lacked a lot on team guys (who) are going to hold the culture and carry the water with the team.
“We’ve got to get better in all areas of the game. They took a lot of penalties (and) they didn’t score a lot of goals.”
Just six players are eligible to return to the Lancers, who are counting on young talent and a professional coach to kickstart their rebuild.
King, the former Lakeland College women’s basketball coach, is transitioning back to his minor hockey roots as the Kitscoty native takes over the Lancers. His assistant coaches are Riley Fletcher and Joe Gidari.
“We’re excited,” said King. “The demands that are going to be put on (the players) will be high, but I think they’re up for the challenge.”
The substantial roster turnover opens the door for U17 AAA graduates and a bumper crop of 2010-born prospects who played at the U15 AAA or prep levels this past season.
The Lancers’ wish list includes hometown forward Tripp Fischer, the skilled Delta Hockey Academy captain projected to be an early selection in this week’s WHL draft. Fischer wasn’t at Lloyd’s ID camp because he was in Philadelphia for a top-prospects showcase.
As part of their rebuild, the Lancers hope to bring such bright prospects back home to Lloydminster for the coming season.
“That’s what we’re looking for, is these high-end, young kids coming back and being that staple of the Lancers hockey program,” said King, who anticipated “a handful of players” would sign commitments this week.
Another one of those local draft-eligible players warming up to the Lancers is Josh Frazer, an energetic forward who scored more than a point per game with the OHA Edmonton U15 prep team.
“Frazer is one of the ones that we want to be a part of the program,” said King. “An absolute buzzsaw. He’s all over the place. He’s undersized, he works hard, he’s a 200-foot player and has good hands.
“He was just around the puck all weekend. For someone his age to be super noticeable at this camp is impressive.”
Among other prospects from the 2010-born class, King was impressed with the likes of OHA Edmonton forward Kael Scott, along with U15 AAA Lancers defencemen Cobin Garnett and Peter Osman.
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