The Summerland Steam Junior B hockey team will hold its annual camp before beginning this year’s hockey season.
The training camp will be held at the Summerland Arena beginning Aug. 26.
Coach John DePourcq said the camp will be an opportunity to bring new players onto the team.
“We have a lot of good young prospects coming in,” he said.
Calvin Hadley, Alex Williams, Wyatt Gale, Jarrett Malchow and Riley Pettitt have all aged out of the Junior B league. Another player, forward Mike McLean, will play on a Junior A team in Lloydminster this fall.
DePourcq said McLean will fit well with the style of playing in Alberta.
“The Alberta Junior Hockey League is a lot tougher than the B.C. Hockey League,” DePourcq said. “He should do great out there.”
While new players will be added, DePourcq said there are a lot of good returning players, including goaltenders Jared Breitkreuz and Matthew Huber.
“Defensively, we’re going to be really strong,” DePourcq said.
Mike Rigby will be the general manager of the team. For the past five seasons, he has been the director of player development and the assistant general manager. He was interim general manager for part of last season.
Rigby is encouraging Summerlanders to attend the Steam’s home games this season.
The team is working to have municipal approval for a liquor licence. This would provide fans the opportunity to enjoy a beverage at the games.
Every registered Summerland minor hockey player will receive a laminated game pass, providing admittance to all home games.
Bantam and Midget players will be invited to attend the team’s Prospects camp in April.
DePourcq is returning for his sixth season behind the bench, along with assistants Carter Rigby and Jordan McCallum. Cole Buckley will serve as a goalie coach.
“We’re extremely pleased to have John back for another year with this great organization,” Rigby said. “John brings a winning attitude and many great attributes to the table for this team, and a certain level of class and respect for both his players and his peers that is rarely found. He is a great mentor, and helps our players in all aspects of their game, both on and off the ice. He is a big part of our success.”
Last year, the team finished second in its division and made the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
In playoff action the Steam lost to the Osoyoos Coyotes, after winning against the Kelowna Chiefs in a seven-game series.
The team will play two exhibition games on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2, both against Osoyoos.
The Sept. 1 game will be in Osoyoos, beginning at 7:35 p.m., while the Sept. 2 game will be in Summerland, beginning at 7:30 p.m.