Prospects prep in practice
NORTH BAY, Ont. — The North Bay Battalion, minus five regulars, embarks on its final weekend of Ontario Hockey League exhibition play with a visit to the Sudbury Wolves at 7:05 p.m. Friday.
North Bay completes its six-game preseason schedule by hosting the Owen Sound Attack at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Battalion has a won-lost-extended record of 3-1-0 in exhibition action, the most recent game a 6-1 road loss last Saturday to the Ottawa 67’s, whom the Troops defeated 4-3 via shootout at home last Wednesday night.
“I think we’ve been pretty pleased with the progression of the guys,” coach Ryan Oulahen said Wednesday. “I mean, this is really kind of getting the offseason habits out of the way, the summer hockey, so to speak.
“We’ve now had a good week of practice. It seemed like we were just playing a lot of games last week, where now as coaches we’ve zeroed in on some things to work on and hopefully some improvement going into Sudbury on Friday.”
Five Troops are to hit the ice at National Hockey League rookie camps starting Friday. Centre Ethan Procyszyn and goaltender Mike McIvor join the Anaheim Ducks, while left winger Lirim Amidovski and right winger Shamar Moses skate with the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers respectively. Defenceman Bronson Ride is to join the Vegas Golden Knights. All have been drafted except McIvor and Ride, who are free-agent invitees.
Oulahen suggested their absences provide opportunities for others to step into increased roles and demonstrate their abilities as the club reduces its numbers to those who will open the regular season.
Oulahen said depth figures to be a strength. Among components that could improve the offence are holdover right wingers Parker Vaughan, Ryder Carey and Nick Wellenreiter and several incoming forwards, in rookie left winger Ryder Cali, who saw brief action last season, centre Evgeny Dubrovtsev, left winger Arseny Pronin and centre Cam Warren, the club’s first-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection.
“As a coach, you’re going to be cautious for sure at this point in time. However, it seems with the additions that we’ve made, the insertion of guys, we’re going to be able to come at waves, I think is the best way to say it.
“I’m really impressed with our depth, all throughout our lineup and also on the back end. I think we have some extra guys that can really jump up to the play and move the puck. If you can develop offence starting with your back end, that can really, really jumpstart you and improve things.”
Defencemen who have shown rushing prowess include Kent Greer, Jonathan Kapageridis and Carter Kunopaski.
The Battalion’s Fan Fest will precede the Saturday game, starting at noon outside Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens. There is free outdoor entry, and tickets to the game against Owen Sound will be on sale.
Fans can bring non-perishable food donations to support the North Bay Food Bank and get a chance to spin the wheel to win Battalion prizes. Names will be entered for the grand prize pack, including two tickets to the Royal LePage home opener on Thursday, Sept. 18, against the Oshawa Generals.
