Neepawa Natives prepare for spring training camp

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Published on Thursday, March 26, 2015

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

The future of the Neepawa Natives could be on display this weekend at the Yellowhead Arena, as the hockey club is holding its annual spring camp. About 85 prospects are expected at the three day camp, which begins Friday, Mar. 27. 

General manager Myles Cathcart said this year, the Natives will evaluate from the 1999-2000 draft eligible age bracket and its prospects from the team’s 50-man protected list. Some walk-on players wishing to break through to the MJHL will also be on hand.

“[Over the years], we’ve ranged anywhere between 75 to 120 players taking part in this spring session. We’re pleased with our numbers for this year,” said Cathcart. “This will be a showcase. Some guys could end up on our list [for the full fall training camp]. Some could get drafted. Some of the older kids could get an invite back and we normally run a younger session for our main camp as well. We’ll see where we’re at and go from there.”

Cathcart said they’ll give a thorough examination of each players’ strengths and weaknesses, looking for those intangibles that make them stand out from the pack. One-on-one exit meetings will also be done with every player in camp, in order to provide them with some information and guidance to move forward in their hockey career.

Registrations will occur in the morning on Friday, Mar. 27 at the Yellowhead Arena, with the first on-ice session quickly to follow.