The Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals’ spring camp has wrapped up, with over 50 hopefuls getting a first hand look at the organization and new head coach Brad Knight.
It was a well-received weekend, according to general manager Rob Gaudreault, who was taking part in his first camp in his new position. He was happy with the turnout and quality of the players, noting they took to the ice with great enthusiasm to go along with Knight’s fresh approach.
“It was a good camp,” Gaudreault said. “Brad had everything figured out in terms of what he wanted to see out there on the ice and ran everything the way he wanted to run it.”
“It wasn’t treated so much like a showcase camp, but more like regular practices we would hold during the season. I think that really set the tone for the weekend with all the players, they saw what they were in for and really had to step up to show what they could do.”
Gaudreault said there was lots of positive feedback, from players and their families. It’s nothing but encouraging for the GM, who knows the importance of getting things started on the right foot.
“We need to show from day one just what we want to do with this team,” Gaudreault said. “We know what sort of team we want to put out there on the ice and we feel that we’re going to have no problems building that team.”
“It starts with camp here, getting to know the players, seeing what they can do out on the ice. From there, we have to keep on working away, finding players that are going to fit the mold of what we want our team to be and building our team to have the success we know we can have.”
Anywhere from 14 to 18 Gens from last season will return.
“It’s great to see those guys out here,” Gaudreault said. “After all that’s happened, to see them come back and want to be part of what’s going on here is nothing but positive. You can see the improvement in their games and it’s showing both on the ice and off the ice.”
“We’ve had lots of calls about players from last season from teams all over the place and it’s very encouraging. With Brad as our coach, that’s only going to continue to build in the right direction. He’s a great coach with a great vision and great drive to succeed and those qualities have a strong, positive impact on players that want to get better.”