Trappers Already Gearing Up For Next Season

More than 35 Trappers hopefuls battled for the puck during the Trappers final spring tryout ice session Sunday night at Pete Palangio Arena. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Story by Jazz Mathon

Just seven weeks after they bowed out in the second round of the Great North Midget League playoffs to the eventual Telus Cup champion Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves, the North Bay Trappers were back on the ice for their spring tryouts. More than 35 players registered for the weekend long camp at Pete Palangio Arena and Trappers coach Beau Moyer says it’s a great opportunity to see how the new players blend in.

“Gives the kids coming up from the bantam ranks an idea of what it takes to play at the midget level, their playing against bigger kids and it gives them an idea of the where they need to be, come middle august when we start our fall camp,” said Moyer.

Moyer says there could be six forward and two defence spots available come the fall, depending on the number of returning players. What is certain is that their top two scorers Nick Huard and Mitchell Davis won’t be coming back. However, Moyer expects other veterans to step up to the plate.

“Roch Pellerin, Adam Marceau, Darnell Koosees, Peter Easton, guys who will have more opportunity on the power play this year but everybody knows we have good forwards coming in from the Blades organization and they will be asked to step in right away, I expect them to have a good chance to produce early too,” said Moyer.

There are also veterans like Peter Easton - who are taking part in their third camp - that are really impressed with what they are seeing with the new crop of players tryout out.

“Just some of the skills that they have, even just the last time we were on the ice, I noticed that a lot of guys had a lot of heart and that can go a long way,” said Easton.

One of those players is 14-year old Scott Pawson, who was the leading scorer with the North Bay Blades. Moyer says big shoes left behind will be filled come the fall. He expects all of these players to be back on the ice in August for their second evaluation. Only then will decisions be made as to who will part of the 08/09 roster.