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Plenty of positives as Warriors begin main camp

Hunter impressed with early returns after Saturday action
They’re through fitness testing and rookie camp. Now the real nitty-gritty part of the Moose Jaw Warriors training camp is officially underway.

The Western Hockey League squad held their first full team scrimmages on Saturday morning and afternoon at Mosaic Place, marking the first time this season the Warriors veterans took to the ice in a competitive situation.

And based on what head coach Tim Hunter has seen in the early going, things are looking pretty darn good.

First, rookie camp. The annual grind of physical testing saw a host of impressive results, something that Hunter felt was a sign of the team’s veterans and prospects alike taking things very, very seriously when it comes to hitting camp in the best shape possible.

“We had some great scores in our beep tests and some of our other tests, which goes to the culture we’re building here with an elite, fit group,” Hunter said before adding that some players were even beyond the pale in that regard.

“We did a speed test this year, 28 metres, the fastest guy was Luke Ormsby and right behind him was Daemon Hunt, so the second-fastest guy on our team is a defenceman, which is something you’d never really have thought of. But he’s worked on his power and strength and has really come along.”

Testing led straight into rookie camp through Thursday afternoon and all day Friday, with 14 players moving on to main camp – including Moose Jaw Minor Hockey products Kirk Mullen and Atley Calvert.

The first main camp scrimmage took place on Saturday morning and brought the exact kind of performances Hunter and the Warriors’ management staff were looking to see.

“It was really competitive and a great game,” Hunter said. “There were some nice goals and real good finesse hockey out there, and we saw that we have a really good group of young defenceman back there to watch, so we’re really excited about this group of players.”

Interestingly enough, besides a highlight-reel goal from 2019 Bantam Draft pick Jagger Firkus – which Hunter described as a model of patience with an impressive top-shelf finish – few players have stood out. And that’s a good thing in the head coach’s eyes.

“Usually there are guys you don’t even notice out there because they aren’t doing their job, but everyone stands out and it’s exciting to see,” Hunter said.

That includes the team’s veteran corps, led by the Warriors’ lone 20-year-old in Ormsby.

“Tate Popple looks good, Kjell Kjemhus, the Taphorn twins ((Keenan and Kaedan) look really good out there. (defenceman) Matt Benson, he’s a taken a step and has looked good as well,” Hunter said. “Then Luke Ormsby has been a leader out there, he’s driving the engine in the fitness testing and other things. So it’s all good, there are a lot of positives to take away from what we’ve seen so far.”

One player not on the ice this weekend is their de facto offensive leader in Brayden Tracey. But don’t worry, folks, the 18-year-old winger isn’t around for a very good reason – he’s currently in Anaheim skating with the Ducks veterans after being selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft this summer.

Carson Denomie was also back on the ice during Saturday’s second session after an impressive showing through early practices, leading to Hunter predicting big things for the 19-year-old Regina product.

“He looked really good on the ice when training camp started, so we’re hoping for 25, 30 goals from him this year,” Hunter said.

Of course, there is the elephant in the room when it comes to the team’s personnel. The Warriors have two overage and one import spot currently open, but the news is good on that front in the long term – it’s expected there will be plenty of 20-year-olds on the market once cutdowns are finalized, with, as an example, the Medicine Hat Tigers having as many as six heading into training camp and the Prince Albert Raiders seven, including the majority of their defensive corps.

“We’ll get through camp and see what we have,” Hunter said. “A lot of teams will have guys at NHL camps and will have holes, too, so once all the NHL camps send their players back, things start to unfold and guys become available.

“No one is going to trade too many 20-year-olds right now because players are at camps, some guys might earn some spots and they’re going to have to change the path they go down.

So I’m not really concerned about that, (general manager) Al (Millar) and (assistant gm) Jason (Ripplinger) will find us some good players, they always do. But right now, we’ll work with what we have, we’re excited about this group and we’re looking forward to seeing how things turn out.”

Training camp continues Sunday with the third scrimmage at 10 a.m. before the Black White Intrasquad Game takes centre stage at 4 p.m. at Mosaic Place. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Mental Health Association in the memory of Ethan Williams.

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