It may be hard to imagine in the midst of the summer heat, but the boys of winter will soon be hitting the ice in preparation for the 2012/2013 season.
Starting this Saturday, players from all over western Canada and beyond will converge upon Drumheller for the Dragons’ preseason camp.
However, getting the Dragons ready for the upcoming season started in March of this year when a new head coach and general manager, Brian Curran, was hired. Since then, he, and his coaching and scouting staff have been working hard to assemble a team ready to contend for the AJHL championship.
“I put 32,000 kilometers on my truck recruiting. My scouting staff has done a pretty good job. We think we put together a good combination of young players and veterans,” said Curran. “Either my scouting staff or myself have seen each of the kids. It’s probably going to be one of the most competitive camps I’ve seen.”
The camp will give the coaching staff a chance to see the new players again. There are 82 players coming to the camp, double what Curran is used to seeing at camp.
“We’re excited about our camp. We have a much bigger camp than we wanted, but with the team not succeeding last year I think you have to open the doors a little bit more. It gives more players an opportunity,” said Curran.
Quite a few Dragons veterans will be returning for the camp as well. However, they will have to work hard to keep a spot on the roster warned Curran.
“Our veterans will have to pick up their game. I think some of them are excited and others are waiting to see what will happen. Personally, I don’t care. I don’t want to sound mean, but the attitude needs to change. At the end of the day we’re here to make things better and our veterans need to be providing leadership and turn things around,” said Curran.
The Dragons finished last season with a 17-36-6 record, placed seventh in the Southern Division, and were swept from the playoffs in the first round by the Okotoks Oilers.
After the changes to the organization and the influx of talent coming for the camp the Dragons are feeling optimistic about the new season.
“We’re optimistic about the season and excited by the renewed ability to recruit by our coach and head scout. Our recruiting has taken a real leap. We’ve got a coach we’re committed to and he’s committed to us for the long term. For myself, I can’t wait to see them get started,” said owner/president Rod Knelsen.
Before the season begins, there is a challenge facing the team. The Dragons are looking for homes willing to house a Dragon for the year. Many of the players rely on billeting for their accommodation.
“We really need billets. Without billets the team can’t run, they’re such a key part of the team,” said Knelsen.
If anyone wants to give billeting a chance, players coming in for the camp this weekend will need accommodation during the camp and preseason.
“If somebody has thought about it I would even say just call and try it temporarily. We need it for the next couple weeks, because of main camp and exhibition games. We’ll have so many extra players around, so people can try it,” said Knelsen.
“The thing about billets, if you don’t have them you don’t have a team. It’s one of the most rewarding things ever. We’re fortunate we have great people as a part of that,” said Curran.
If anyone is interested, they can contact the Dragons office at 403-823-2022.
Camp begins Saturday at the Drumheller Memorial Arena and the first exhibition game is on August 21 when Dragons head to Olds to face the rival Grizzlys. The first home game is August 29 against the Calgary Canucks. The regular season begins September 7 at home.
“We’re not going to go down without giving 100 percent and competing each night, that’s my goal. Our game is to win and bring a program to the community they’ll be proud of,” said Curran. “We’re not in a rebuilding phase, we’re building to win a championship.”
