Sting Get Set For Training Camp
By DAVE BORODY
“Be ready.”
Those are the words from Dave MacQueen, head coach and general manager of the Sarnia Sting to the 55 or so players who will be attending the team’s training camp beginning Tuesday at the RBC Centre.
Sarnia finished last overall in the Ontario Hockey League last season. MacQueen vows that’s not going to happen again.
He has made a number of moves over the off-season, including landing the first pick in the OHL Priority Draft in Alex Galchenyuk, the second overall selection in the CHL European Draft in Nail Yakupov of Russia and acquiring veteran goalie John Cullen from Kingston.
“There will be competition for jobs,” said MacQueen earlier this week. “Last year we had a lot of holes to fill and our hands were tied a bit. This year is different. We are going to have competition for jobs at forward, on the blue line, and now in goal. At some point we are going to have some tough decisions to make and that’s a good thing.”
The Sting has a crop of veterans returning, but again MacQueen says they are not guaranteed spots on the opening day roster.
“The veteran guys need to perform right off the bat. They can’t sit back and expect a spot is guaranteed. We have some good, young talent coming up. Naturally the veterans have the benefit of the doubt, but they are going to be pushed by the rookies to be better. This year we have options.”
Players will report to the RBC Centre on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Fitness testing takes places during he afternoon followed by a team dinner at Coyote Jacks. Actually on-ice workouts begin on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
“We won’t be rushed into making any quick decisions,” says MacQueen. “Some players will determine their own fate, i.e., if they want to sign knowing they might not be here the whole year. We will cut down our roster after the Black and White Intersquad Game in preparation for the pre-season games beginning on Friday.”
The annual inter-squad game will be held Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at the RBC Centre. Proceeds from the game will benefit the United Way of Sarnia. United Way volunteers will be at the door to accept a donation.
Sarnia’s first pre-season game is Friday in London against the Knights while the teams have a return engagement on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the RBC Centre. The Sting will play six exhibition games.
MacQueen makes no bones in what areas his team will need to improve on to be competitive in the OHL this season.
“Our team speed needs to be better and I know it will be with the additions this year. Our power play should be better with the new talent. We also need to be more consistent. We can’t have two or three good games and then be completely awful for two or three weeks.
“For me team chemistry is huge, especially inside the dressing room. That’s where are older guys need to step up and be leaders. We have some good, young players, but the veterans need to lead them down the right path.”
MacQueen is thrilled with the addition of ex-Sting star Trevor Letowski as the team’s new assistant coach. Letowski will join MacQueen and Derek DiMuzio behind the Sting bench.
“Trevor is going to bring fresh ideas to the team. He’s recently removed from the National Hockey League where he played over 600 games. He also brings instant credibility to the players. Between Trevor and Derek they will be good with the young players and make them feel comfortable.”
MacQueen added, “it’s going to be an adjustment for him behind the bench instead of on the bench as a player. I expect that adjustment to be a quick one because Trevor knows and understands the game. He will grow into his role.”
Players entering the dressing room will see a picture of Letowski along another ex-Sting star Steven Stamkos in Letowski’s office. Both are wearing their Team Canada jerseys as both have won a gold medal competing at the world junior championships.
MacQueen says it’s too early to predict exactly what kind of team Sting fans will expect to see this season, but he knows it will be much different from a year ago.
“I think we should be able to score. Again though, we are team that still will be young so it’s hard to say what style we will develop. But with the Russians, our German import and some of the players returning from last year like Brandon Francisco and Brett Ritchie, we should be able to play a high tempo, high-octane game. Our blue line will be experienced. We are not going to sit back and trap. We have the potential to be an explosive team.”
MacQueen says he’s ready for training camp.
“It’s been a good summer for me both personally and professionally. I think we’ve accomplished a lot as a team over the summer. It’s always tough to jump right back into it, but being off as long as we were this year, I’m ready and looking forward to a very competitive training camp.”
He added, “where we fit in league-wise, who knows, but we are certainly heading in the right direction.”
After the six pre-season games, the Sting will being their 17th season in the OHL at home Sept. 24th when they host the defending Memorial Cup champion, Windsor Spitfires at the RBC Centre.
The game will begin at 7:05 p.m. as all home games (except for Sundays) will begin a half hour earlier than previous years. Sarnia will again play a 68-game schedule.
The Sting also announced earlier this week that for 12 home games this year, (Thursdays and Sundays and one Monday), kids under 12 can purchase a ticket for just $5. The first game with the reduced price is Sunday, Oct. 31st against Sault Ste.Marie at 2 p.m.
Season tickets and flex packs for the 2010-2011 season are on sale daily at the RBC box office.
Sting fans are reminded that on-ice sessions at training camp are open to the public at no charge.
Dave Borody is a freelance writer who covers games both home and away and also does features for the Sting Website.
