BY SCOTT
HADDOW
It was reality check time for the young players looking to
break into the OHL at the Sudbury Wolves' 2006 rookie
orientation camp.
The camp occurred this past weekend at the Tom Davies Community
Arena in Lively.
Prospects from the 2006 draft, as well as other recent
drafts and a few young Wolves' players, attended.
They were put to the test in several on ice and off-ice
training exercises.
Players were evaluated on how they could perform in a
variety of physical tests. The rookies must train hard all
summer and be prepared to do it all over again at the main fall
camp. The players will be expected to surpass their results or
face the dire consequences - being cut from the team.
The gruelling tests opened the eyes of the Wolves hopefuls,
giving them a better indication of just how hard it is to make
the jump into the OHL and play with the elite.
"The competition level is very high," said Kyle Tarini, a Sudbury boy and fourth round selection in 2006. "I need to step it up another level to come into the main camp and snatch the wild card spot. That's my only chance to make the team. Everybody has so much drive and intensity...everyone wants this so bad. The tempo on the ice is fast. I am alright and can keep up."
Despite the tough assault on their physical abilities, the
prospects relished their time showing the Wolves brass their
stuff.
"The camp was a lot of hard work," said Justin
Larson, a Wolves' 2006 second-round draft pick. "I
don't mind it. I am looking forward to doing it for a full
season here. The pace is more intense and awesome. I have to
work a lot harder to make a difference."
Larson also enjoyed the opportunity to see Sudbury and
savour the city.
"Sudbury is similar to where I live...a lot of rocks and lakes," said the six-foot-three winger from Lakefield. "I like it.
This is a great hockey town and I can't wait to come
back."
The Wolves brass has been impressed with the maturity of
their prospects.
"The attitude and character of our players is something else," said Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno. "I didn't expect them to show this much maturity. They look at you right in the eye when we talk to them. That says a lot about them."
The players showed they have great ability and potential.
"These players showed a high level of skill on the
ice," said Foligno. "Larson had a great camp, showing
he can handle the puck very well. Tarini showed he can really
skate and so did J.K. Gill. Jared Staal came on as the camp
went on. Al Valiquette played well too. It's been what we
expected and then some. They have the personality to play in
the OHL."
The camp's primary focus was to set the players up with
what they have to do from now until fall camp.
"We talked about the tradition of the Sudbury Wolves," said Foligno. "They're starting to realize it's a big deal to play in the OHL. There's a lot of responsibility to play here and we wanted to make sure they were doing the most they can over the summer to be ready for training camp to make this team. Lively has worked out well for us. It's a great facility here."
