This year’s Dauphin Kings will be younger than what fans are used to seeing.
The local junior A hockey team held its training camp at Credit Union Place this weekend, with 37 players hoping to make the team.
Kings head coach and general manager Bryan Kromm liked what he saw throughout the weekend.
“I think, for the most part, it was very competitive. I think we got what we needed out of this camp and now moving forward, it’s the real test against some other teams in the league to see how some of these kids fare,” he said.
The plan is to carry 27 players into the preseason schedule, which began last night when the Kings hosted the Northern Manitoba Blizzard.
“There will be probably between 10 to 15 kids that will be moving on after Monday,” Kromm said.
Camp, Kromm said, resembled summer hockey style of play and he will begin to introduce some structure to the team’s play as they enter the preseason.
“Some five-on-five stuff that we’re looking for and see which guys can pick that stuff up once we get into some real hockey,” he said.
The Kings will begin to work on special teams the following week before opening the season, Sept. 18, in Selkirk against the Steelers.
A number of local players were in camp, including returning players Quentin Fisk, Luke Myhre and Sam Swanton along with prospects Landyn Garton, Jake Myhre and Benjamin Gardner.
For Kromm, having local players on the team is important for several reasons.
Fans, he said, like to see hometown players on the local team.
“Those kids have some really important ties to the community, as well. So they’re helpful in that aspect with kids that are not from here,” he said.
“So there’s a lot of benefit to having local guy in the mix. And I think a lot of kids grow up wanting to be Dauphin Kings. So to give some kid the opportunity to play for the Dauphin Kings that’s from here, that’s special, as well, to me.”
There are three players attending Western Hockey League camps that may return to Dauphin.
Noah Smigelsky is in Everett with the Silvertips, while Forrest Karlson is with the Red Deer Rebels. Veteran defenceman Brody Wytinck is with the Kamloops Blazers.
“We might see those kids come back into the fold maybe early next week. So we’re waiting on those kids, plus a few others that we have on our radar,” Kromm said.
Landyn Garton scored twice and Soren Hayden had three assists to lead Team Myles Fee to a 7-3 win over Team Barry Trotz in the annual JoFo Cup, Saturday.
Cooper Johannsen, Kale Pratte, Jake Griffiths, Kurtis Kinoshita and Liam Spencer also scored, while Ander Reyes, Landon McGregor and Luke Ratzlaff shared goaltending duties.
Gavin Smith with two and Max George replied for Team Barry Trotz. Benjamin Gardner, Bryson Yaschyshyn and Piet Mierau each played one period in goal.
On Monday, George had a goal and two assists to lead the Kings to a 5-2 win over the Blizzard.
Collin Freidrich, Ashton Shields, Jake Myhre and Nic Collins had Dauphin’s other goals, while Reyes stopped 11 of 12 shots he faced and Mierau made 10 saves on 11 shots.
The Kings will play a home-and-home with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, Friday in Dauphin at 7 p.m. and Saturday in Waywayseecappo at 7:30 p.m.