Battalion returning forward Brett McKenzie on a rush for Team White. PHOTO BY LIAM BERTI.
The North Bay Battalion are out to prove they have what it takes to challenge for an Ontario Hockey League Championship for a second time in as many seasons since moving here.
A storybook inaugural season has, undoubtedly, raised the team’s and the town’s expectations. On Thursday night, the Battalion took their first strides toward recreating that success with their first intrasquad game of training camp at Memorial Gardens.
This time last year, the North Bay Battalion were in unfamiliar territory: new arena, new fans, new home.
But now, with an Eastern Conference Championship to their name and a passionate fan base behind them, the team is in an unusual place for a completely different reason: they have the challenge of repeating and exceeding last year’s success.
“We know that we have to play really good for the fans and try to have a season just as good or better than last year,” said Nick Paul, the team’s third-highest scorer last season.
For the first time in almost four months, North Bay Battalion jerseys graced the ice at the Gardens, with Team White beating Team Green 8-5. While the play was chaotic at times, players and management alike acknowledged that the games will only get more intense from here.
In total, almost 50 hopefuls are at this week’s training camp trying to earn a permanent spot in the Battalion dressing room. Incumbents and prospects alike kicked off the training camp yesterday with a day of fitness testing and medicals.
Eighteen players are eligible to return from the 2013-14 squad, leaving few spots for draft picks and free agent prospects to battle for. And team management didn’t do the newcomers any favours, asking both teams to play with full intensity right from the beginning.
“We’re at training camp, there’s no time to get the cobwebs out,” said returning defensive veteran Marcus McIvor, an assistant captain with the team last year. “You’ve got to compete the best you can right from the start and all the guys in there know that.”
With the likes of offensive team leaders Barclay Goodrow, Ben Thomson and Matt MacLeod ineligible to return, the Battalion are in need of some additional offensive fire power.
“The guys that did leave, credit to them; they are all incredible players, but it’s just a chance for the young guys to get into bigger roles,” McIvor said after the game. “Everyone’s just one year more experienced and some of the guys that didn’t get as much ice time last year will get some more, will continue to grow and continue to improve.”
One of the most promising prospects is Swedish winger Hampus Olsson, the club’s first selection in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft this summer, who skated with the Battalion organization for the first time Thursday night.
“I love the pressure; that’s why I’m here,” said the six-foot four-inch winger. “I want to play as much as possible and score and get a lot of points.”
It was also the first chance fans had to see prospects like forwards Zach Poirier, Owen Green and New Liskeard native Justin Brazeau, as well as highly touted defensemen Zach Shanker and Darian Skeoch.
The Troops will play two more intrasquad games on Friday and Saturday before travelling to Sudbury on Sunday to start their pre season campaign against the Wolves. The remaining players will then have less than 24 hours to prepare for a home game against the Wolves at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Gardens on Monday.
