Preparations are beginning for next season at each level of the West Central Wheat Kings AA program.
We recently shared the U18 team's advertisement for fall camp running on the September long weekend.
Helping set things up for the camp is Melissa Cey, who wanted to go a little deeper into what the team and third year head coach Pat Sperle are looking for in their 2023-2024 roster.
"I think Pat is a very fair coach in saying that everyone is going to have a shot at the camp, even the returning players, they are going to have to earn their spots back."
Five players graduated from the team. One defenseman, three forwards, and one goalie.
"I think there is a strong group of kids who have really been honing their skills this past year. The team could look different, anybody could earn a spot this year."
Cey talked more about players getting a fair evaluation.
"Pat is looking for the skill and energy to be able to play this type of hockey. He (will look at you) even if you haven't moved up through the AA program. Maybe you are new to the area. He is going to give everybody that fair shot, and I know everybody really appreciates that about him." shared Cey, also mentioning that a team of evaluators that will present alongside the head coach.
Remarks were nothing but positive about the coach who clearly cares about the players.
"The other thing with Pat that is great is that he has multi-sport athletes at home, that's how his kids grew up, and he really puts that into the hockey team as well." said Cey. Football, volleyball, and badminton are just some of the sports that these multi-skilled athletes could be part of. "Into the spring, sometime these can run into playoffs, but he is very good about making sure these kids are doing more than hockey."
Everything you need to know (U18 AA West Central Wheat Kings on Facebook)The west-central Saskatchewan based team has been based out of Kerrobert and Unity the past few years. The host locations for each level typically changes as the player base does.
Cey made it a point to mention the team would like to see that trend move in a different direction this year.
"We are trying to get more play time into the south. We have been practicing in Unity and Kerrobert, playing most of our games there," started Cey. "Kindersley has a lot of teams out of that centre, and with the two ice surfaces it gets tight. But we are trying to make an effort to get more ice time in the south."
That alone would encourage a whole new pool of players.
"Maybe we can get some more of those southern players not feeling like they have to travel two hours for home games and practices."
The rink in Kindersley will be a busy place come the first weekend of SeptemberThe first weekend of September has the Wheat Kings fall camp running from Friday through Sunday.
Labor Day Weekend will be a busy time at the West Central Events Centre with the Kindersley Jr. A Klippers, and brand new Western Prairie Jr. Klippers teams also running their training camps and tryouts with the Wheat Kings.
Thu, Apr 25, 9:30 AM
