The Cowichan Valley Capitals are gearing up for their training camp, which begins on September 2. The team is less than a month away from taking to the ice, and fans will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the fresh-faced players for free.
"We are really excited about this group," said Cowichan head coach Cam Keith. "This team will be even more explosive offensively than last year's group, which was third in the BCHL for offence. We expect to have a team that's going to contend for a championship this season and we can't wait to get started."
The Capitals have recently signed two new players, Taite Donkin and Ryder Dembo, both 2006-born forwards who previously played for the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the SJHL. Donkin, from Saskatoon, scored 15 goals and had 28 assists for 43 points in 50 games in La Ronge, while Dembo, a Calgary product, had nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points in 27 games with the Ice Wolves.
The duo will join newcomer Junsu Kwak from Seoul, Korea, on the first day of camp.
"He's expected to be a difference maker," Keith said of the recruit.
Key returnees this season include: Carter DeKay, Camden Charron, Jack McAra, Kole Keen and Adam Lang.
Camp runs from Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5 and members the team will practice from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and/or 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Cowichan Arena.
All practices and scrimmages are at the Cowichan Arena and are free for the public to attend.
The Capitals' first scrimmage is Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. followed by scrimmages on Wednesday at 8 p.m., and Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
The annual Bill Dellebuur Cup, a Red versus White intrasquad game honouring the longtime volunteer, will be played at 6:30 p.m. on September 5, with a minimum donation of $5 for spectators.
The Caps then kick off their four-game pre-season exhibition schedule against the Victoria Grizzlies in a home-and-home pair at 6 p.m. on Sept 6 at Juan de Fuca Arena and 2 p.m. on Sept 7 at the Cowichan Arena.
