Trappers open camp

The North Bay Trappers will open their training camp with a lot of spots up for grabs.

It’s a big year for the Great North Midget League finalists who will be hosting this year’s provincial championships in the spring.

So far Coach Larry Keenan says the club has only signed four players, returnees Kyle Radigan, Kody Carnevale, and Matthew Thompson plus High School speedster Darcy Vaillancourt.

As many as 10 returnees could come back but according to Keenan they’ll have to earn their spot during training camp which starts Monday night. But while nothing is guaranteed, Keenan admits that his veterans have an edge over the newcomers.

“These players have the advantage because they really know what it takes to win in our league,” Keenan said during an interview last Friday.

“They know what to expect from myself and our coaching staff and our whole organization, they know what to expect from our league, and the one thing about it is guys that have played for us, the ones that had a good attitude and a work ethic the come back, you know what, they are in a different situation they have to play their way off the team, last year they had to play their way on and this is why we didn’t want to commit to too many during spring tryouts.”

Senecal to Pembroke?

With Lance McMahon graduating possibly to Major Junior hockey, the Trappers next highest scorer Marc Senecal appeared to be the club’s potential franchise player this fall. But the sniper who potted 21 goals in 34 regular season games last year seems to be leaning toward playing junior with the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Junior Hockey League instead of playing in his hometown for a midget squad that will host the All-Ontario championships in the spring.

Tryouts and exhibition opener

Tryouts will take place 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Pete Palangio arena, with their first exhibition game taking place on Saturday at Memorial Gardens versus Sudbury. Game time is 1:30 p.m.