With the Yorkton Terriers’ fall camp quickly approaching this weekend, the pressure is on the coaching staff to round out their roster for the start of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season.Â
Although the season is only just beginning, head coach/GM Casey O’Brien has been busy all summer long trying to recruit the best players he can.
O’Brien said there was one portion of the game that he was looking to improve in his team for this season, and that’s speed.Â
“We want to get faster, get quicker and have a faster team that plays a fast transition game. That’s the way the game is going now,” O’Brien said. “One of our goals in the off-season was to address that.”
He said he believes they’ve been successful with that because of some of the forward selections they’ve made. Â
One of those players is Austin Flaman, who spent time with the Terriers during playoffs last season. O’Brien said Flaman is a very good player with a lot of skill and speed. He was the Terriers’ first pick in the first ever SJHL draft.Â
The Terriers have also added a few older guys to the forward line, who should add some experience that left the team in last season’s graduating group.Â
On the back end, the group is young. But O’Brien said they’ve got a group of good, puck-moving defensemen.Â
O’Brien mentioned Parker Gavlas, and Kyle Sargent who came to the Terriers from Kindersley after a trade during the summer.
“We’re very excited with the guys we have coming in,” offered O’Brien.Â
O’Brien said that fans can expect to see a young, energetic team on the ice that plays hard every night.Â
He added that it’s up to the coaching staff to coach and mentor them, and to help the guys gel quickly.
Last year’s leading scorer, Jared Legien, will be starting the season off in the WHL with the Victoria Royals.Â
“It’s a big loss, but we’re very happy for him. That’s what we’re all about – development,” said O’Brien regarding his star forward moving on.Â
One familiar face on the ice this season is forward Dexter Robinson, who was named team captain for the season.Â
O’Brien said that choice was made for a number of reasons.Â
“Dexter has been one guy who I’ve always thought very highly of. He’s one guy who can play all roles, and the guys respect him in the dressing room,” offered the coach.Â
“When we left last season, we had some feedback on who guys would choose to be their captain and Dexter’s name came up often.”
O’Brien said they wanted that leadership role filled before fall camp even started.Â
“He’s just a good down to earth team guy and that’s what we want in our leadership group. He’s excited for the challenge. Dexter’s on the same page as the coaching staff, and we think he’s going to do an exceptional job leading this group this year,” offered O’Brien.Â
Also staying consistent for the 2017-2018 season will be the majority of the coaching staff.Â
O’Brien is returning as head coach, Mat Hehr is returning as assistant coach and Scotty Musqua and Karsten Wagner are returning as volunteer assistant coaches.Â
There will be a new goalie coach as Matt Weninger has moved on the coach with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL.Â
There is also a new athletic therapist/equipment manager for the team - Caden Allingham.
O’Brien said it’s a bonus to have the majority of the coaching staff back together again.Â
“We have a year under our belts, so we’re not afraid to share opinions, and that’s the way I want it to be,” he said. “We don’t always agree on everything but we have to be able to have that understanding.”Â
When it comes to goals for this season, O’Brien said he likes to hold a high standard.
“We’d love to try to win a championship every year. But if we can build off of last year’s success, then that would be successful,” he said.Â
“Our goal would be to get in the top six to avoid the wild card series.”Â
But that won’t come without a fight. He said this year is going to be a great year for the entire league, and the Terriers will be battling all season long.
“Our whole division is going to be a dog fight right to the end to see who gets that first seed. I’m excited for the challenge. I think the players are excited, too.”Â
