Lamb Ready For Camp

Over 80 players with WHL hopes and dreams are filing into the Credit Union iPlex Wednesday evening for the start of Swift Current Broncos Training Camp.

Broncos Coach and General Manager Mark Lamb says any young guy hoping to make the club is going to have to prove they can hang at the WHL level.

"We don't want a sixteen-year-old sitting on the bench," Lamb said.

"They have to prove they can play from seven to ten shifts, they have to prove they are not going to be a liability on the ice, and they have to prove they will get better through our practices."

Lamb says if a rookie isn't quite ready he'd rather see them go back to midget and get a lot of playing time to develop.

The incomming 16-year-olds include local product Zac Mackay and Under 17 Team Pacific shortlisted defencemen Dillon Heatherington and Bobby Zinkan. Heatherington and Zinkan appear to be competing for only one open spot on the blue line as the Broncos are returning six veterans from last season's team.

"It's going to be hard for them," Lamb said.

"There's not spots that are just sticking out... all those positions are going to be very competitive."

Lamb says there are some older guys coming to camp as well trying to crack a WHL line-up.

One of them is potential tough guy, 18-year-old Daniel Dale of Grande Prairie. The former Notre Dame Hound and one time property of the Prince Albert Raiders is listed at 6'1, 205lbs. He had 7 points and 85 penalty minutes with the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League last season.

Lamb believes their 1992 birth year has been a weak spot for them so he says there is a chance for a couple of older invites to crack the roster.

Some former Broncos are doing that witho ther teams. Defenceman Ryan Aasman is trying out in Medicine Hat while Brody Luhning is in Regina's camp.

The Broncos are expected to release a full training camp roster later today. Camp starts with registration and fitness testing. On ice sessions begin Thursday.

Click here for the full interview with Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb

Training Camp Schedule:

Wednesday, August 24th
4-5PM: Registration
5:30-9PM:  Fitness Testing (All Groups)

Thursday, August 25th
8:30-9:30AM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Tiger)
9:45-10:45AM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Ruskowski)
11-12PM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Sakic)
12:15-1:15PM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Trottier)
4-5:45PM:  Game #1 (Team Sakic vs Team Tiger)
6-7:45PM:  Game #2 (Team Trottier vs Team Ruskowski)

Friday, August 26th
8:30-9:30AM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Sakic)
9:45-10:45AM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Trottier)
11-12PM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Tiger)
12:15-1:15PM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Ruskowski)
4-5:45PM:  Game #1 (Team Sakic vs Team Trottier)
6-7:45PM:  Game #2 (Team Tiger vs Team Ruskowski)

Saturday, August 27th
8:30-9:30AM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Trottier)
9:45-10:45AM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Tiger)
11-12PM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Ruskowski)
12:15-1:15PM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Sakic)
4-5:45PM:  Game #1 (Team Trottier vs Team Tiger)
6-7:45PM:  Game #2 (Team Sakic vs Team Ruskowski)

Sunday, August 28th

8:30-9:30AM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Tiger)
9:45-10:45AM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Ruskowski)
11-12PM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Sakic)
12:15-1:15PM:  On-Ice Practice (Team Trottier)
4-5:45PM:  Game #1 (3rd Place vs 4th Place)
6-7:45PM:  Game #2 (1st Place vs 2nd Place)

Monday, August 29th

Team Black
9:45-10:30AM:  Pregame Skate

Team White
10:45-11:30AM:  Pregame Skate

Team White vs Team Black Game
7-9:30PM