The Athabasca Aces are back in action, with new and returning players hitting the ice twice last week.
The workouts/tryouts at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex will continue twice a week (Wednesday and Sunday) into the month of October, and new head coach Curtis Creaser intends to make the most of them as he seeks to ice the best team possible for this year’s North Central Hockey League season.
“We were having quite a bit of interest (from newcomers) and it sounds like we’ll have even more new guys out,” he said. “It’s a little sporadic getting everyone on the ice at once, but that’s how senior hockey is.”
Creaser will take a long look at all the different hockey players (both local and otherwise) that want to play for the Aces this year. Last year’s team had its best regular season ever before running out of gas in the first round of the playoffs, but regardless of who did what last year, everyone will have to earn their place once again this season.
One area that is currently a question mark for the team is the crease.
Creaser’s brother Jeff has been the team’s number-one goaltender for years, but an injury will keep him out of the lineup until November at the earliest. That leaves the door open for a new goaltender to make an impact, and there were three trying to do just that at the first tryout last Wednesday.
Whatever position they play, newcomers and veterans will continue working to catch the coach’s eye for the next few weeks before he sets his mind to paring down the roster (if numbers make it necessary).
For now, the energy and attitude is all positive.
“The guys are really enthusiastic, and everyone is excited to start the season,” said Creaser. “Our goal is to make provincials, and all the guys are pretty pumped about that.”
Though two workouts aren’t enough to base much on, Creaser was impressed with the work ethic and upbeat attitude of the athletes trying out for the team, and he hopes to see more of it as training camp progresses.
“There’s some chemistry with some guys who played together last year, and some of the system drills they were performing looked really good,” he said.
The new coach also reports that his first time as a bench boss is starting off well.
“We’re all adults, and everyone’s got some hockey sense and intelligence. It’s easy to draw up a drill and have them execute it right away,” he said.
Creaser will continue to examine the players this week before starting to implement a team system as the camp nears its conclusion.
“Once we’re about four or five skates in, I’ll start speaking to guys and see what their direction is and how they feel they fit in,” he said.
“The interest of the guys is really enthusiastic. Everyone seems really excited.”
Though the regular season is still a month away, it’s likely that enthusiasm will still be there on opening night.
