Main camp opens with 40 players vying for 23 spots on the Merritt Centennials.
Of the 40, 14 players represented the Centennials last season. Nick Wicks, Rylan Van Unen, Christian Sabin, Brad Cocca, Mathieu Gosselin, Brendan Schneider and Matt Kopperud are carry overs from the forward core. Joey Berkopec, Mike Van Unen, Mattias Dal Monte, Jackson Munro, and Colten Gerlib will once again man the blueline. In net, the Cents will lean on Austin Roden and Vincent Duplessis between the pipes.
There are 3 Merritt locals, all defensemen, who will have a chance to impress the coaching staff: Atreyu Johnny who plays with the Merritt Midget program, Talon Zakall who plays with the Yale Elite, and the youngest is Chase Cooke who plays with Thompson Bantam. All 3 were also at the Centennials Spring Camp.
Other names of note include forward Frazer Dodd, who was an affiliate player with the team last season, new signing Jaydon Fetter from the GOJHL’s Leamington Flyers, Brett Roloson who registered over a point per game at Shawnigan Lake School Prep, and is the son of former NHL goaltender Dwayne Roloson, and Josh Van Unen, younger brother of Rylan and Mike, who also posted over a point per game at Shawnigan Lake.
Whether a returning player, or someone looking to fight his way onto the team, Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting Brandon Shaw says he expects players to play hard, and play within themselves.
“We are looking for players to come in and play their game. Compete extremely hard every shift they’re wearing a Centennials logo. I expect the camp to be fast, skilled and full of compete all over the ice and on both sides of the puck.”
Camp begins with registration and opening remarks at 10am Monday morning.
