More than 30 skaters showed up Tuesday evening for the Quesnel Kangaroos first practice for the upcoming 2011-2012 Central Interior Hockey League season.
The turnout for the ‘Roos first tryout camp in 25 years was a welcome relief to Curtis Gassoff who spearheaded the return of the Quesnel senior men’s team.
“I thought the turn out was great,” Gassoff said.
“It’s good to see that many players interested.
“The response has made all the time myself and many others put into this worth it!”
Each of the skaters forked out $50 for the privilege of trying out for the team and they certainly got their money’s worth.
Following a bit of a stretching, ‘Roos coach Win Winofsky had the players skating laps, followed by a scrimmage and more skating, before a final stretch.
Winofsky, who skated for the Quesnel Millionaires, the ‘Roos as well as a 10-year career in Europe, was busy with his whistle stopping the play to point out positioning mistakes.
Wanting to impress, most of the skaters were heading up and down the ice as fast as they could, a difficult pace to keep up for an entire game.
“I know there will be a few sore bodies out there for the next few days,” Gassoff admitted.
“It won’t take Win long to whip us into shape.”
For his part, Winofsky said he was impressed with the effort the players showed during the 1.5-h practice, but did say they would have to learn to slow things down a bit.
“In this league it’s all about smart hockey,” Winofsky, who also had a stint as bench boss for the Mills, said.
“It’s about being in the right position.”
With the season opener against the Omineca Ice set for October 1, the practices will become more frequent and detailed, Winofsky said.
The next practices are scheduled for Sept 10 at 4:30 p.m. and Sept 11 at 5:30 p.m., following which Winofsky and assistant coach Steve Williams will be sharpening their pencils to come up with a short list, a list of players who will don the newest version of the Quesnel Kangaroos jerseys.
The Kangaroos last skated in Quesnel in 1986 after a storied 27-year run that featured five Coy Cup championships, three trips to the Canadian intermediate championship finals and one trip to the Canadian senior championship final.
That success has established a certain level of expectations and Gassoff thinks those expectations are reasonable.
“There’s a large group of very skilled players in Quesnel capable of competing and winning,” Gassoff said confidently.
The Kangaroos are in the eastern division along with the Omineca Ice, Stampeders and Tomahawks.
The western division includes Prince Rupert Rampage, Kitimat Ice Demons and Terrace River Kings, whereas the central division includes the Hazelton Wolverines, Smithers Steelheads and Houston Luckies.
The top two teams in each division will make the playoffs as will two wild card teams, the two teams with the highest points among the four remaining teams.
The Quesnel Kangaroos have mounted a season tickets drive and several of the board of directors, including president Jack Marsh will be on hand at the Quesnel Farmer’s Market, Sept. 10 and 17, to answer questions and sell tickets.
A season ticket will set you back $80 for nine home games and single game tickets are $10, with discounts for seniors.