IceDogs welcome rookies
Niagara IceDogs general manager Joey Burke addresses players and parents as the club opened training camp with a rookie orientation day Monday at Meridian Centre. Main camp begins Tuesday. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
The wait is over.
After 18 months the Niagara IceDogs finally hit the ice Monday as the team held a rookie orientation day for 25 first-year players.
Players arrived at the Meridian Centre and checked in before meeting up with their parents in the stands for a quick group chat with IceDogs general manager Joey Burke and head coach Billy Burke.
“It feels great,” 2020 first-round selection Pano Fimis said. “It was a long 18 months but it was good for all of us. It took some patience and it took some time but we got through it.
“It’s great to be back and I can’t wait to get going.”
Fimis admitted it may take some time get back into the swing of things.
“It’s tough to get back into your routine and remember what you did 18 months ago but you sort of figure it out and make your own path again,” he said. “It’s tough to say calm because you get really excited over these times but you manage to keep yourself level-headed.”
Juan Copeland, Niagara’s top choice in the 2021 draft, had a quick tour of the Meridian Centre last week, but was still in awe on his first official day in the Ontario Hockey League.
“It’s surreal,” said Copeland, who was selected in the second round (22nd overall). “It’s an unreal arena and an unreal experience for me.
“It’s something special for me and my family.”
Copeland, who hails from Michigan, is getting used to life north of the border, on and off the ice.
“It’s a new experience,” he said. “There’s a lot of new things I’ve experienced here so far and a lot of differences but I’m excited to try something else.
“I’m definitely nervous but I’m also excited to get on the ice and show what I can do and show who I am.”
Billy Burke seemed just as pumped as the players to be back.
“It feels great,” he said. “It’s really just excitement. We’re finally here. It’s been awhile. Friday, March 13 (2020) was the first day we woke up without hockey and Sunday, August, 29 (2021) was the last day.
“It’s exciting. We’re looking forward to it and I know the players are as well.”
Following their meeting, players were split into two teams and participated in a three-on-three game. Following the game, there was a tour of the facility for players and parents and an information session about schooling and billets.
“Today is more of a tuneup for these guys,” Billy Burke said. “We don’t want to burn them out. I know they’re going to come out hard. They will come out like they’re shot out of a cannon. They’re excited. It’s long overdue coming out here and seeing everything.”
Regular training camp will commence Tuesday with 47 more players expected to attend. Players will be divided into four teams for scrimmages which begin at 9:30 a.m.
“It will be pretty standard. It will be a normal camp until Thursday night and then get we’ll get the numbers down on Wednesday and again Thursday,” Billy Burke said.
All three days of training camp are open to the public.
Tickets (free) are required for the red and white inter-squad 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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