Coach/GM Preston Set for Camp

The new man in charge of the Lethbridge Hurricanes will get his first real good look-see at his hockey team later this week when the club opens it's 2009 training camp Thursday afternoon at Adams Ice Centre.

I spoke briefly with Rich Preston about the upcoming camp today:

Pat: What emotions are you feeling as the new guy as you get set for your first training camp with the Hurricanes?

Preston: "Well Pat, this is a real exciting time because I haven't seen a lot of our young kids. I saw some of them at the under 16 and under 17 camps, but most of them it'll be the first for me so it'll be a good eye opener. I'm looking forward to it."

Pat: As a coach, what do you look for in a player at training camp?

Preston: "I think number one, the biggest thing is how hard they compete. It doesn't matter if you're 6 foot 2 or 5 foot 8.....the size and height go out the window if a player competes. Another thing is consistently every shift. I think that's the number one thing you look for in a player."

Pat: There will be 60 players at camp. How will you determine which ones make the team and which ones don't?

Preston: "Well, we have 15 returning from last year. Six of those players are going to pro camps. I think the more you can have go to pro camp the more those players learn. With those going off to camps, that'll open some spots for some of these young kids to play exhibition games and really show what they've got."

Pat: Is there any one position on this team that you'll be keeping a close watch on in camp?

Preston: "Obviously losing our number one goaltender (Juha Metsola) that should be a good battle at that position. We have 5 returning defencemen so obviously you'll have some spots open there. You always want to build your team from the goaltender out, so those are the two positions where we'll see a good battle and see who steps forward."

I'll have more training camp info later on in the week with practice times at Adams Ice Centre.

Thanks,
Pat