Navy Vets impress at camp
By Adrienne Eisen Sentinel-Review
Woodstock Navy Vets coaches said they are very impressed with the crop of players in camp this year, despite a 3-1 loss in their first exhibition game against the Simcoe Storm Friday night at Southwood Arena in Woodstock.
"Lots of good local talent," said Jeff Morrison, the Navy Vets head coach and general manager.
A couple of players stepped up while some disappointed, but overall the game was very positive, he said.
This was the first junior hockey exhibition game for the majority of the players.
Ed Cook, the club's assistant coach, said they have a team full of rookies this year, but many have put themselves on the radar. He said five 16-year-old players were on the ice Friday night and were very impressive. One scored the team's only goal while another notched an assist.
"We have six or seven imprinted in our brains," he said.
Woodstock players have showed tremendous effort so far, he said.
"The local boys have a lot of incentive."
Cook said the biggest adjustment since last year has been the tempo, as many of the rookies
"If they want to make this roster, speed and tempo need to be there for the full sixty minutes," Cook said.
He also explained to the prospects that, until Sept. 9, they are all a part of the Navy Vets team, so they need to go out and represent well.
All players will be practising Tuesday night, where the coaches will start making some tough decisions.
By Friday, the team will be narrowed down from
35 to approximately 22 or 23 players.
Adrienne.eisen@bowesnet.com