The Bruins' annual spring camp wrapped up yesterday after nearly 80 players spent the weekend showing the team's brass what they can do.
For some, their performance at this camp could affect their odds of making the team in the fall. For younger prospects, it was a chance to show the team that it should continue to invest in them as a list player.
Here are a few interviews from the weekend:
Wyatt Garagan was one of the final cuts last year as a 17-year-old and got into one game as an AP. Among the hopefuls to make the team up front, the local product is probably the closest thing there is to a lock. This interview was done after Team Gold's first game on Friday.
Blake McMillen also played one game with the Bruins and will be in the mix on the back end, but he will have stiff competition as there were many impressive blueliners this weekend. This interview was done on Saturday.
Dayton Picard saw some SJHL action this year as well. The Stoughton native is another favourite to crack the roster up front.
Adam Osczevski was listed during the season after being dropped by Kindersley. He's a '95, but Rick Oakes says he has a shot at making the team and I thought he was very good at camp.
There will be a lot of competition at training camp, especially on the blueline, and it won't be just the '94s in the mix.
Forwards Osczevski, Darcy Deroose, Wyatt Johnson (acquired for Ryan Ostertag - was sick this weekend) and Daniel Wanner, as well as d-men Zach Douglas and Edwin Hookenson, are all '95s who are expected to make a serious run at a roster spot this fall.
Furthermore, '96 forward Lynnden Pastachak was one of the best forwards at camp, regardless of age (probably top three in my books) and Rick said he's not counting him out to make the team at 16.
Throw in '94 defencemen McMillen, Jordan Greig, Brett Dumaine (who turned a TON of heads, and can also play forward), Sean Whelan and David Robertson, and that blueline competition will be intense.
You've also got Garagan, Picard, Brandon Halbgewachs, Hudson Morrison, Ben Williams, Dylan Johner and Rhett Handley in the mix as '94s. The latter two missed camp due to a school trip.
Morrison played 36 games with Wayway last year. I only saw him once, but a lot of people are raving about his performance.
Add it all up, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a vet or two lose his spot.
Between the pipes, '94 Travis Pelletier had a pretty solid weekend and will push for the backup job at fall camp. I also liked what I saw from '95 Braven MacPherson, and I've been told that '95 Ryland Pashovitz (in one day of action) and Lance Knudson of Crosby (not sure on his age) were pretty good as well.
Now we have to wait four and a half months till camp.
