There will be some Richmond flavour when Vancouver Giants officially begin preparation for the upcoming Western Hockey League season with their training camp this weekend at the Ladner Leisure Centre.
Approximately 60 players have travelled to the Lower Mainland from throughout Western Canada and the United States to participate in two full days of practices and scrimmages. The camp will conclude with the Legends Cup Game on Sunday morning (9 a.m.).
Among the players are 2001-born forwards Aidan Barfootand Lukas Svejkovsky who played played for Seafair and Richmond Minor rep teams respectively before heading to the academy and Major Midget levels. Barfoot cracked the Giants roster last season, managing seven points in 47 games. Svejkovsky played for the B.C. Hockey League champion Wenatchee Wild and now will be re-united with his dad Yogi — a former NHL defenceman and longtime skills coach with the Giants.
Fresh off a gold medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, 2019 top NHL prospect Bowen Byram returns for his third training camp, while recent NHL draft picks Milos Roman (Calgary Flames), David Tendeck (Arizona Coyotes) and Alex Kannok Leipert (Washington Capitals) will also be in attendance.
Players will be separated into three teams (Team Kane, Team Gallagher, and Team Lucic) who are all named after Vancouver Giants alumni.
The Giants have a different look off the ice this season with new general manager Barclay Parneta and head coach Michael Dyck.
The Giants are part of a pre-season tournament in Everett next weekend and also will be hosting their own Sept. 7-9 at the Langley Events Centre.
Here’s a rundown of the training camp roster and ice times:
Team Gallagher
#2 Ethan O’Halloran (2003), #3 Matt Barberis (1998), #4 Dylan Plouffe (1999), #5 Brenden Pentecost (2003), #6 Issiah Colina (2003), #7 Kian Calder, #9 Connor Wetsch (2002), #10 Evan Patrician (2001), #11 Davis Koch (1998), #12 James Malm (1999), #14 Tyler Ho (2000), #15 Matthew Peterson (2003), #16 Dawson Holt (1999), #17 Alec Saretzky (2002), #18 Noah Alvarez (2003), #19 Krz Plummer (2002), #21 David Tendeck (1999), #22 Drew Slim (2003).
Team Lucic
#2 Joel Sexsmith (2002), #3 Kyle Melo (2003), #4 Bowen Byram (2001), #5 Alex Kannok Leipert (2000), #6 Liam Bell (2003), #7 Nicco Camazzola (2003), #9 Hunor Torzsok (2000), #11 Zack Ostapchuk (2003), #14 Jared Dmytriw (1998), #15 Brayden Watts (1999), #16 Lukas Svejkovsky (2001), #17 Aidan Barfoot (2001), #18 Yannik Valenti (2000), #19 Kyle Bochek (2003), #20 Carter Belitski (2001), #23 Jack Ford (2001), #24 Braedy Euerby (2002).
Tean Kane
#2 Jacob Gendron (2002), #3 Tanner Brown (2002), #4 Bailey Dhaliwal (1999), #6 Parker Hendren (2001), #7 Kaleb Bulych (2000), #8 Wyatt Hickok (2003), #12 Daniel Anton (2001), #14 Owen Hardy (1999), #15 Chase Sandhu (2003), #16 Tyler Popowich (2000), #17 Justin Lies (2003), #18 Cyle McNabb (2000), #20 Wyatt Cook (2003), #21 Milos Roman (1999), #22 Justin Sourdif (2002), #31 Trent Miner (2001), #33 Jake Kovinsky (2001).
Schedule
Friday, Aug. 24
9 a.m. Goalie Session
10 a.m. Team Kane Practice
11 a.m. Team Gallagher Practice
Noon Team Lucic Practice
3:30 p.m. Tame Kane vs. Team Gallagher
4:45 p.m. Team Kane vs. Team Lucic
6 p.m. Team Lucic vs. Team Gallagher
Saturday, Aug. 25
9 a.m. Goalie Session
10 a.m. Team Lucic Practice
11 a.m. Team Kane Practice
Noon: Team Gallagher Practice
3:30 p.m. Team Kane vs. Team Lucic
4:45 p.m. Team Kane vs. Team Gallagher
6 p.m. Team Lucic vs. Team Gallagher
Sunday, Aug. 26
9 a.m. Legends Cup Game
