Zach Soke, Michael Berezny, Elias Giannoulis, Kailum Gervais, Adam McCannell, Tanner LeSann, John and Dakota Odgers and Spencer Bomboir are a few of the familiar names vying for a spot on the Yorkton Harvest Midget AAA Hockey Club for next season.
The current season was done a long time ago, however work to start shaping up next year's entry has already begun to take some shape.
With Yorkton's Junior 'A' squad on the ice for one last time last week, the Midget AAAs took over the Gallagher Centre one last time this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A handful of the hopefuls this past weekend included those who've playing within the Yorkton Minor Hockey Association during 2009-10 and according to the coach, things are already starting to look good.
"There have been some surprises," noted Graham Garrett with some optimism. "Some of these kids have shown they can step up into AAA."
Garrett had similar reaction last year. After enduring a bad outing in 2008-09 when the team only won 11 contests, Garrett helped turned the ship around in 2009-10 and the club started the season in first place and held onto it. They secured a playoff spot against the Prince Albert Mintos and had five of their members elected to the Midget AAA all-star game. They also came one win away from playing for the championships in December at the Mac's tournament.
Graham said those feats will once again be attainable when 2010-11 starts.
He had several of his eligible players return over the weekend, including defenceman Damon Severson and Tayler Thompson, but they won't just be skating out there like they've already got spot on next year's team claimed, warns coach Garrett.
"Our veteran guys, there's still pressure."
While they should be able to handle pressure from rookies, Garrett suggests it's "a different thing" when the returning guys are out there during spring camp.
"It's more of a leadership role for them," Garrett continued. "They have to make the younger guys battle."
The Harvest head coach also pointed to some of the Bantam-level players who fall under the category of having proved themselves of being able to play at the second highest level of hockey for those aged 20-and-under.
"Some of the Bantam guys have really played well," said Garrett. They include LeSann and goaltender Bomboir.
Both offensively and defensively, things are starting to look good. At the camp, however, the defence has stepped it up a bit.
"A few guys up front have impressed but we look very strong defensively.
Garrett added that there are a good number of local area kids vying for a spot on next year's team and that he and the members of his staff are trying to secure as many of them as possible.
Garrett will have a job to do in replacing eight starters from last year's club, including team captain Riley Storzuk, Kyle Trimp, Paul Hordos, Brenden Poncelet and Curtis Veitch. Leaving from the defensive corps are Alex Vandenameele and Davis Vandane, along with netminder Austin Vargo.
