Camp Officially Underway

Adams Ice Centre was a very busy place Thursday afternoon and evening as more than 60 Hurricane hopefuls arrived for registration and the start of training camp.



I spoke with Canes' Associate Coach Matt Kabayama about this camp. He says the coaching staff wanted to make this a very competitive camp and notes everyone is coming in fighting for a job. There should be some battles for spots too. The team has 15 players returning from last year, but I guess that doesn't mean they'll all be with the Hurricanes once the season opens. I would expect there to be a good battle in the goaltending position. The Canes' have invited 7 goalies to this year's camp, but I would think the battle to be between returnees Michael Tadjdeh and Brandon Anderson as well as newcomer Ville Kolppanen of Finland. There are also a few spots open on Defence and Forward. I guess with 6 players eading to pro camps in week, it'll give the coaches a good chance to see what some of the younger players have to offer too, especially in game situations.

I talked briefly with Cam Braes as well. He told me he and the rest of the players are looking forward to getting to know and working with new Head Coach/GM Rich Preston. I asked him about his role with the team this year given it's his 3rd season with the team. Braes feels he's got a lot of experience over the past two seasons and this year he hopes to bring more of a leadership role for the yonger players. He also tells me he'd like to try and crack the top two lines and be more of an impact player.

Kyle Beach was all smiles as he entered Adams for registration Thursday afternoon. He told me he worked hard this off-season and comes into camp in really good condition. I asked him what his role will be this year. He said that will be up to Rich Preston to decide, but he says he is excited to be back. Beach will also be one of 6 returning players that will head to NHL camps in a couple of weeks.

Another one of those pro camp guys wil be Austin Fyten. He is also very excited to be back for his second full season with the Canes. Fyten expects to play a key role this year. He tells me he anticipates being more of a go-to guy this season and will be depended on to score that big goal from time to time.

The Hurricanes will hold a couple of scrimmages Friday as well as a practice for the veterans.

Here is a list of the 65 players invited to camp this year:


Goaltenders (7)
Michael Tadjdeh 91 Calgary, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Brandon Anderson 92 Langley, BC Columbia Valley - KIJHL
Ville Kolppanen 92 Tampere, Finland Ilves. Tampere
Alex Wakaluk 93 Bellevue, AB AAA Titans - AMHL
Tyler O'Donnell 93 Fountain Valley, CA LA Selects - US AAA
Tanner Kovacs 94 Innisfail, AB AAA Rebels - AMBHL
Wilson Sproule 94 Hussar, AB AAA Royals - AMBHL

Defencemen (20)
Max Ross 90 Lethbridge, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Eric Mestery 90 Winnipeg, MB Hurricanes - WHL
Brennan Yadlowski 91 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Austin Baecker 92 Kelowna, BC Rockets - BC Midget
Derek Ryckman 92 Red Deer, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Cody Castro 92 Peoria, AZ Hurricanes - WHL
Mike Claffey 92 Spruce Grove, AB Camrose Eagles - AJHL
Drew Graham 93 Chilliwack, BC Bruins - BCAHA
Darren Dietz 93 Medicine Hat, AB Med Hat - AMBHL
Reid Jackson 93 Weyburn, SK Shattuck St Marys - US
Brandyn Hulit 93 Coutts, AB Hurricanes - SAML
Austin Yadlowski 93 Edmonton, AB SSAC - Minor Midget
John Stechyshyn 93 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Braxton Bilous 94 Langley, BC Langley - BC Bantam
Valik Chichkin 94 Burnaby, BC Burnaby - BC Bantam
Adam Henry 94 Winnipeg, MB AAA Winnipeg Hawks
Harrison Harper 94 Calgary, AB Calgary Bronks - AMBHL
Stephen Hak 94 Winnipeg, MB AAA Winnipeg Hawks
Mackenzie Klatt 94 Foremost, AB Golden Hawks - AMBHL
Mark Eremenko 94 Lethbridge, AB Golden Hawks - AMBHL


Forwards (38)
Carter Bancks 89 Marysville, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Craig Orfino 90 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Kyle Beach 90 Kelowna, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Kameron McCorry 90 Anaheim Hills, CA LA Jr. Kings - US AAA
Brent Henke 90 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Austin Fyten 91 Sundre, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Taylor Elliot 91 Pincher Creek, AB AAA Titans - AMHL
Brody Sutter 91 Calgary, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Garrett Taylor 91 San Diego, CA Hurricanes - WHL
Carter Ashton 91 Saskatoon, SK Hurricanes - WHL
Cam Braes 91 Shawnigan Lake, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Brandon Brossoit 92 Los Alamitos, CA Cali. Wave - US AAA
Brett Pinder 92 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Ryon Moser 92 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Neil Tarnasky 92 Caroline, AB AAA Leduc - AMHL
Carson Cooper 92 Bow Island, AB AAA Tigers - AMHL
Jordy Martinook 92 Leduc. AB AAA Leduc - AMHL
Mark Reners 92 Pincher Creek, AB AAA Titans - AMHL
Philip Tot 93 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Alex Elliot 93 Pincher Creek, AB Midget A
Brock McDonald 93 Kelowna, BC Westside AAA - BCAHA
Jordan Baillie 93 Ft.Sask. , AB Ft. SK Rangers - AMHL
Samuel Lawson 93 Calgary, AB Midget Rangers - SAML
Matthew Scarth 93 Calgary, AB Blackhawks - SAML
Shane Brolly 93 Spruce Grove, AB Spruce Grove - REMHL
Michael Sofillas 93 Morden, MB Pembina Hawks AAA
John Lidgett 93 Calgary, AB Midget Rangers - SAML
Samuel McKechnie 94 Airdrie, AB Airdrie Xtreme - AMBHL
Jaimen Yakubowski 94 Dalmeny, SK Warman - Bantam AA
TJ Sneath 94 Chino, CA LA Selects - US AAA
Russell Maxwell 94 Magrath, AB Golden Hawks - AMBHL
Brendin Logan 94 Coquitlam, BC AAA Coquitlam Bantam
Mason Blacklock 94 Surrey, BC Ravens - BC Bantam
James Bergal 94 Winnipeg, MB AAA Winnipeg - Bantam
Ryley Bennefield 94 Wetaskiwn, AB AAA Leduc - AMBHL
Mitchell Guiel 94 Langley, BC Langley - BC Bantam
Mitch Makin 94 Blairmore, AB Bisons - Bantam AA
Tommy Hrazdira 94 Ft.McMurray, AB POE Bantam 1