Leafs kick off KIJHL quest with training camp
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs start the quest for a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League title when the franchise kicks off the season with its main training camp beginning Friday at the NDCC Arena.
Nelson is coming off a very successful 2017-18 campaign as the Leafs returned to the top of the league, winning the Murdoch Division Regular Season and Playoff titles before falling to eventual KIJHL Champ Kimberley Dynamiters.
Head coach Mario DiBella and staff begin the camp Friday at 4 p.m. with registration before taking to the ice for practices at 5:15 and 8:30 p.m.
The camp will be divided into two teams.
Saturday, 3-on-3 mini games dominate the morning session before an intra-squad game during the evening.
There is a goalie session later Saturday afternoon.
Sunday concludes the camp with a Green and White game at 4 p.m.
The Leafs play the first of four exhibition games beginning Thursday, August 30th in Fruitvale against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
Nelson returns home Friday, August 31st to meet Revelstoke Grizzlies.
The exhibition season concludes with games Saturday, September 1st in Revelstoke and Tuesday, September 4 at home to Beaver Valley.
Nelson opens the 2018-19 KIJHL season Friday, September 7th against North Okanagan Knights of the Okanagan Division of the Okanagan/Shusway Conference.
