Pats open abbreviated camp at Brandt Centre
REGINA – Friday night was a significant one for the Regina Pats, as the team took the ice for Day 1 of their condensed training camp inside the WHL’s East Division Hub at the Brandt Centre.
After coming together last Saturday for quarantine at the University of Regina’s Luther College dorms, Friday marked the first day of face-to-face team activities since March 11, 2020. Friday’s skate was green lighted following word Thursday night that the latest round of COVID-19 tests all came back negative for the Hub’s seven teams.
The Pats 27-man roster skated for just over an hour Friday evening, as preparations ramped up for the regular season opener Friday, March 12 against the Prince Albert Raiders (8:00 p.m. CST).
“We knew it was going to be exciting. Guys were really anxious to get on the ice and touch the puck and get moving,” said Pats head coach Dave Struch Saturday morning. “There were some blooper moments and that was expected with players being off the ice for two weeks, and really being away from it for a full year as a team.”
Among those finally getting on the ice for the Regiment was Connor Bedard.
The No. 1 pick in last spring’s WHL Draft and the first player to be granted exceptional status in WHL history, Bedard’s first strides on Brandt Centre ice were a long time coming for the talented 15-year-old, who will be looking to learn from the Pats veteran core.
???? We’ve been waiting to see that release at the @BrandtCentre… pic.twitter.com/ownRBaIiZj
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) March 6, 2021
“I think they were all on the same playing field last night,” Struch said of his new additions. “Obviously Bedard can shoot the puck. He’s got some elite skill – there’s no question about that and there’s a reason he got exceptional status.”
“I think they all fared well with our older guys leading the way. We want those young guys to become leaders as well. It’s exactly how we thought it would look. We like the mix of old and young as we move forward here.”
Also making his long-awaited debut with the Pats was goaltender Roddy Ross. Acquired last April from the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan product will be the club’s No. 1 netminder for the condensed 24-game regular season.
Ross, a 6th round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2019 NHL Draft, enters the season looking to build on his first full season in the WHL last year when he posted a .908 SV% and 20 wins in 49 appearances.
The Pats return to the ice Saturday night for Day 2 of camp, as the team continues preparations ahead of Friday’s long-awaited season opener.
“We’re going to challenge every day and keep pushing,” Struch explained.
“For us as a team, as a staff, and as players every day we expect the best with the understanding that they haven’t been on the ice for a long time, so there’s going to be mistakes.”
“All we expect is as individuals they continue to get better every day. As far as our systems, our knowledge, and our hockey IQ, we need to be focussed when we do those types of drills so we’re best ready for Friday night.”
