The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will hit the ice on Friday for their main B.C. Hockey League training camp.
“We’re excited to get going,” head coach and general manager Kevin Willison said.
Willison and assistant coach Adam Hayduk have a baker’s dozen of returning players, out of 36 coming to camp.
Willison will pare the number of players to 27 after the weekend, and will be at 22 players by the time the Bauer BCHL showcase begins on Sept. 19.
Players began arriving in the Alberni Valley this week and are excited to get on the ice and begin what should be an exciting 2014/15 season, Willison noted.
Over the three-day main camp, players will participate in education presentations, fitness testing, baseline tests, practices, three full-length scrimmage games, all leading up to the annual Red/White game on Sunday.
Here is the 2014/15 Main Camp schedule:
FRIDAY, AUG. 29
9:00-10:30am Team Black practice
11:00-12:30pm Team Gold practice
5:30-8:00pm Team Black vs Team Gold Game
SATURDAY, AUG. 30
9:00-11:30am Team Black vs Team Gold Game
6:00-8:30pm Team Black vs Team Gold Game
Following the completion of Saturday, new teams will be formed with the players that will
continue into Sunday for the annual Red/White game. Admission to Sunday’s Red/White game
is by donation of a non-perishable food item to benefit the Bread of Life.
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
10:00-11:00am Pre Game Skate TEAM RED
11:15-12:15pm Pre Game Skate TEAM WHITE
5:00-7:30pm ANNUAL RED WHITE GAME (admission by food donation).
Once the team is down to 27 players, they will continue a week’s worth of practices leading up to the exhibition series.
Pellah traded to Eagles
The Bulldogs on Tuesday traded Bo Pellah to the Surrey Eagles. Pellah played for the Bulldogs in 2012-13, then headed to the USHL last year where he saw action with Sioux Falls and Youngstown.
“He wanted to stay on the mainland, closer to home,” Willison said. “He felt that would be a better fit for him.”
Georgeson’s a Thunderbird
Justin Georgeson will play alongside fellow Bulldogs’ alum Robert Lindores with the UBC Thunderbirds this season.
editor@albernivalleynews.com