IceDogs open camp Monday
The Niagara IceDogs begin training camp with a different twist this year.
The IceDogs will hold a rookie orientation day Monday at the Meridian Centre followed by the official opening of training camp Tuesday.
“Because of COVID, we were never able to bring our 2020 draft class out for their orientation day last summer so we had hoped we would be able to bring both the 2020 and 2021 draft classes out this summer for our typical orientation day,” head coach Billy Burke said.
A typical orientation day sees the new draft picks and their families come to St Catharines to meet the IceDogs staff, tour Governor Simcoe and the Meridian Centre, and end the day with a team barbecue.
“As this summer wore on, we realized it would be pretty close to training camp before we would be able to have both classes of draft picks out, so instead of having everyone come out here twice in two weeks, we decided to just hold our double cohort rookie orientation day the day before the official start of training camp,” Burke said.
Since the group will be twice the size as usual, the IceDogs decided to split up the players into two teams and play an intrasquad game.
“Even though we haven’t been able to do much for these players up until now, it was still important for us to give them their day before we dive right back into a new season,” Burke said.
Players are slated to report to the Meridian Centre at 9:30 a.m. followed by a meeting with their families with Burke.
An intrasquad game will be played at 11 a.m. followed by a tour of the dressing room, lunch and an information session about school and billets.
Spectators are welcome.
Main camp opens Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and Burke is raring to go.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “Having been with the staff the last few weeks and the players slowly trickling back, it’s starting to feel like we haven’t missed any time at all.
“As a group, the energy before training camp has even started has never been higher. We feel we have a lot to prove and can’t wait to get started.”
This year’s training camp will be longer than normal with the regular season slated to begin Thursday, Oct. 7 when the IceDogs visit former Niagara head coach Marty Williamson and the Barrie Colts. The IceDogs home opener is Saturday, Oct. 9 versus the Oshawa Generals.
The IceDogs play six exhibition games — Friday, Sept. 17 at Oshawa, Saturday, Sept. 18 at home versus Oshawa, Friday, Sept. 24 at Guelph, Saturday, Sept. 25 at home versus Guelph, Friday, Oct. 1 at Kitchener and Saturday, Oct. 2 at home versus Kitchener.
“Having missed the entire season I am actually looking forward to the extended training camp,” Burke said. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get settled and reacquainted. There will be challenges to a long training camp as well though. We don’t want to burn ourselves out too early so it will be important to find a good balance of work and rest.”
Training camp times are listed below and will take place at the Meridian Centre. All three days are open to the public.
Tickets (free) are required for the red and white intersquad game Sept. 2. Contact Owen at 905-687-3641 ext. 223 or Lucy at ext. 226. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Tuesday, August 31
Doors open 30 minutes in advance, entry through Meridian Centre box office entrance only.
•9:30 a.m. Black vs Red
•11:15 a.m. White vs Grey
•4 p.m. Black vs White
•5:45 p.m. Red vs Grey
Wednesday, Sept. 1
Doors open 30 minutes in advance, entry through Meridian Centre box office entrance only.
•9 a.m. Black vs Grey
•10:45 am. White vs Red
•3 p.m. Black vs Red
•5:15 p.m. White vs Grey
Thursday, Sept. 2
Doors Open at 6 p.m. entry through Meridian Centre Box Office and Rankin Bridge only.
•7 p.m. Red vs White
Visit this link for all COVID questions and protocols: https://www.meridiancentre.com/events/2020/covid-19-update
Screening is required to enter the building. Please fill out the form below https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50087123/PatronScreeningSTC (no more than 24 hours prior to entry). There will also be QR codes at the points of entry for screening. You will be required to show the “green checkmark” once screening is completed to enter the building.
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