The Rayside Balfour Canadians Jr. A hockey club is beginning to take shape after a grueling two-day tryout camp held at the Countryside Arena this past weekend.
The camp featured 36 players and Rayside Balfour Canadians team brass had some difficult decisions reducing the active roster down to 25 players.
Ten of the players remaining on the roster are OHL-drafted players including three players belonging to the OHL Sudbury Wolves.
"I really like our speed up-front," said Rayside head coach Dan Cuomo. "We have some young kids that can really fly and move the puck well. I'm confident that we have improved our offence this season by attracting some high-end skilled hockey players including, Zacharie Giroux, Mitchell Martin and Oliver Smith - who are only 16 years of age. Our returning vets also look bigger and stronger so I am very excited about how our team is shaping-up at this early stage."
Canadians general manager Jeff Forsyth says it's exciting to have so many OHL drafted players on the active roster active roster.
"We know that they will be heading-out to their OHL camps soon and some may not return. We embrace the role of developing our players for the next level and accept the challenge of recruiting players to fill any holes created by players not returning from OHL camps," said Forsyth.
Of the 25 players remaining on the roster, 19 players are from the Greater Sudbury area providing an excellent local flavour of Jr. A hockey talent.
"It is great to see so many local players poised to make our team this season" adds Forsyth. "We know we have some of the very best talent in our area and that bodes-well for exciting Junior hockey entertainment for our fans."
The Canadians will get their first taste of pre-season exhibition action when they travel to Powassan on Aug. 25 before returning home to play the VooDoos on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Countyside Arena.
Admission tickets will be available at the door.
For Rayside Balfour Canadians season ticket information, please contact Canadians' office manager, Brittany Zacerkowny at: [email protected] or by calling 705-524-8400 extension 226.
