Maida & Company play waiting game as training camp 2011 moves into third day
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Frank Maida’s first training camp as head coach of the Leafs is proving to be no fun.
Thanks to the B.C. Hockey League delaying the start of its regular season has meant Tier II Junior A teams have camps smack in the middle of the KIJHL clubs.
This means players normally in KI camps are still playing the Junior A bubble game.
“Some players are beginning to trickle in,” Maida said from the NDCC Arena press box on Day two of the Nelson Leafs 2011 training camp.
“We’re getting a few more today and some (Friday).”
The massive confusion has Maida juggling his camp roster as well as pressured to make decision on the high school players needing to register at L.V. Rogers.
So the 2011-12 edition of the Nelson Leafs might not be solidified until the first few games of the regular season.
Day two of Leafs camp saw no fights, lots of good hits and players doing their best to turn the coaches heads.
The Leafs are back on the ice Friday morning before heading to Fruitvale for a four-team preseason tournament against teams from Beaver Valley and Grand Forks.
Nelson opens the tourney Friday at 2 p.m. against the Border Bruins.
At 7 p.m. the Leafs meet Beaver Valley I.
Saturday, Nelson plays two more games against the two Beaver Valley squads.
The four teams meet in a playoff round Sunday morning before the consolation and championship games, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, conclude the tourney.
“We’ll be making cuts this weekend,” Maida said.
Nelson then plays a home-and-home exhibition series with Castlegar Rebels — Wednesday in the Sunflower City and Thursday in Nelson — before opening the season Friday, September 16 on the road against the KIJHL finalists.
Nelson’s home opener is Saturday, September 17 against the same Rebels.
ICE CHIPS: Leaf defenceman Riley Henderson was back in Nelson for camp after attending the Junior A tryout in Chilliwack. . . . There were no injuries to report after day two, but sophomore forward Dallon Stoddart did slam into the boards hard during a scrimmage game. . . .Maida said Westside and Vernon will begin making cuts as soon as Friday. . . . Former coach Chris Shaw has committed to some players following a camp this summer in Las Vegas.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
