Battalion training camp hits the ice today

The fitness testing is out of the way and now the North Bay Battalion training camp takes to the ice at Memorial Gardens.

Coach Stan Butler says they have 51 players at camp and there are some open spots if the players prove themselves over the next few days whether they’re newcomers or veterans.

He says his philosophy for veterans is you either get better or you move out and if some of the younger recruits push some of the veterans out the door that won’t be unusual, as you see it happening in the NHL.

Butler says he likes his team especially on the back end with 3 NHL drafted defensemen, 2 who may get drafted next year in the first 2 rounds and veteran Zach Shankar.

He says his goaltending is set with overage netminder Brent Moran.

Overall, he’s positive about the team.  “I think we have the potential to be a fairly strong team.  Obviously, you go into every year and hope, but I think most of the areas we need to be good in, we’re decent in.” 

There will be intra-squad games at Memorial Gardens today and tomorrow from 4 pm  to 6:15 pm and Saturday morning from 9 am to 11:15 am.

The Battalion will hit the road on Sunday for a pre-season game in Sudbury.