Kelly soaking in experience at training camp
As day two of training camp kicks off today, the young players attending have had a full day to learn what Raider training camp is all about. One of those players is Benett Kelly. Taken in the second round of this year’s WHL Prospects Draft, the defenceman explained how the first day went for him.
“I’ve just been learning the pace of play with these older guys and just how fast and skilled they are,” he said. “They can make plays quick, and I’m just trying to learn off of the things they do. I’m also learning their physicality and how they use their body to protect the puck and learning off of that stuff.”
Kelly is getting the chance to learn from the veteran defencemen on the Raiders’ squad, with the likes of Eric Johnston and Terrell Goldsmith. He says evaluating their entire game has been an important experience for him so far.
“Their 200-foot game and their eyes; how they see the plays happening in front of them. They know where all the guys will be to make fast plays. They’re evasive to get out of tough positions.”
While Kelly will have to wait another season before he gets a chance to earn a roster spot on the team, he explained how this year’s training camp, as well as the season coming up, will help him be ready for when the opportunity presents itself.
“I just want to focus on getting stronger,” he said. “I can tell by all the guys with how big they are, it’s hard to get the puck off them. Just getting bigger, faster, being prepared for all situations and training my mind to see everything in front of me.
“The rest of the weekend I want to keep up with the pace of everyone here and make some good plays like the old guys out here. I want to show off my skills and show what I can do.”
Training camp continues all day Saturday and Sunday, and wraps up with the Green vs. White game on Monday at 11am.
