travis child
Travis Child

On-ice sessions are underway Thursday at Swift Current Broncos training camp.

The goaltending battle doesn't appear to be a wide open one with both starter Eetu Laurikainen and backup Landon Bow back in camp.

16-year-old Travis Child is still coming in with the mentality that he could make the club.

Travis Child Interview"Just do whatever you can," Child said. "It's out of your control who they pick to go in. You've just got to be able to play, do your best and deserve that spot."

So what will he have to show them?

"That I can play and that I can be a good goalie in this league at 16."

The Broncos are comfortable with their goaltendering, but they will never rule out any goaltender forcing the issue.

"It's going to be very tough," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. "It's also very tough for a young goaltender to play in this league. We know how good Eetu is and Landon Bow when he played last year he played very well."

"(Bow) was out in Minnesota he put in a lot of work and I'm very excited to see how he's going to play. Child also. He's going to get some games, he's going to get a good look and he's going to get great experience here. You just never know what could happen."

Child was Swift Current's second round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. He went 5-4-10 with a 3.54 goals against average and a 0.900 save percentage for Camrose in Alberta Minor Midget AAA. Facing a lot of shots on a mediocre team may have actually helped his development.

"I think it was better than getting 10 shots a game," Child said. "Especially when you're still developing and trying to get better."

All those ties and a team that struggled for wins was a mental challenge for him.

"It was a crazy experience," Child added. "I think it was 9 (ties in a row) at the start. I want that win I don't care how it comes."

He and the other goaltenders will try and contain the hungry young talent at camp during scrimmages at 4pm and 6pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Credit Union iPlex.

The annual Black and White game goes Sunday afternoon at 1pm.