Back on their home ice, returning ‘Roos skate against new players and a few making their return from a year away from the team in a tight quarters three-on-three, with goals pulled up to the blue line.
With each goal, players shout for a pass from Bob Marsh, who will be an assistant coach once again this year, as the lines change and, for a second, it just looks like chaos on the ice.
But to returning coach Brian Kozak, the team is looking good.
“The practice is high tempo; the guys are having fun,” he said.
A good portion of the players back out on the ice are returning from last year, giving the team a solid foundation to begin with.
“We have our nucleus back from last year and a couple of our first year players back as well,” Marsh said.
The returning ‘Roos are Alessio Tomassetti and Rigby Burgart, who played for T.R.U. last year and will add an extra dash of skill up front.
Together, these players already have a lot of experience playing together, which has helped the players come together as a team before even playing a game.
“As coaches, we look for guys afterward to be sitting in the dressing room chatting, and I’m leaving after half an hour of that and there are guys in the parking lot chatting,” Kozak said.
“It’s good that we have that bonding; so I’m really happy with the squad in that sense.”
The ‘Roos are also looking at Matt and Mike Stang and Tyrell Turgeon who played on Omineca Ice last year to further shore up the front.
With serious skill up front, Kozak is hoping they’ll find a few more players on defence. The team is missing some defencemen from last year due to recurring injuries, so is looking to shore those holes up.
The team also lost a goallie over the summer. Though the team has enough to make it through their games, Kozak said extra goalies can be a boon for practice and drills.
With a strong bond returning with the core group from last year and some extra talent finding its way to the team, Justin Fulton, who has played for the ‘Roos for two years and was last year’s laegue MVP, is excited to start the new season.
“It’s a new year, we’ll start off fresh. We’ve got some new players that’ll help,” he said.
Along with new players on the ice, the ‘Roos have a new face behind the bench and a returning coach as well.
Steve Williams will reprise his role as assistant coach, sharing the duty with Marsh and new comer to the coaching field, if not the ‘Roos, Nick Patchett.
Patchett made the decision to quit playing the game after last year, but didn’t want to leave the team behind. So when he knew the team was looking for another, younger coach, he stepped up.
“I’m just trying to help however I can,” he said.
The depth of talent behind the bench will allow the coaches more leeway, as some, like Kozak, travel during the season due to work.
The real year, and the real ‘Roos, don’t begin for another couple weeks, in October, but the hard news for fans is that they won’t see a game on home ice until the end of the month.
In fact, the ‘Roos start the season with a double header weekend on the road, starting against the Prince Rupert Rampage on Oct. 5, followed by last year’s champions, the Kitimat Ice Demons.
It’s a bit of an intimidating start for the ‘Roos, but should kick off the season and the team spirit with verve.
“I’m excited; it’s a good road trip,” Fulton said.
“We’ll get some good bonding early on, which is important.”
The ‘Roos will play their first home game against the Williams Lake Stampeders.
Tha Stampeders may be the team to beat for the ‘Roos this year.
“It’ll be an interesting year, because Williams Lake is hosting the Coy Cup, so obviously they’re going to have a strong team,” Kozak said.
“And from what I’ve heard they’ve done a great job recruiting, so that’ll make a much tougher division for