Greyhound prospects ready to hit the ice

Thirty eight Soo Greyhound prospects, including 12 players from the local area, will hit the ice this weekend at the John Rhodes Community Centre for a two-day mini-camp beginning Saturday morning.

Players from the 2005 and 2006 OHL Priority Selections, along with free agent invites, will take part in on and off ice sessions. Practices are scheduled for 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday while a two hour scrimmage is set to take place at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

The Hounds are also once again hosting a "Season Ticket Holder Barbeque" as part of this event. The barbeque will take place on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and all current 2006/2007 Season Ticket holders are invited to attend to meet and greet many of the Hounds prospects for the very first time.

All events will take place at the Rhodes.

One of the players fans will have their first chance to look at is first round draft pick James Livingston, who will make his local debut along with second round selection Sean Jones.

Local players slated to suit up are 2006 draft selections Brett Perlini (third round), Thessalon's Dylan King (fifth round), Goulais River's Mike Rivard (seventh round) and Jacob Chiblow (14th round) along with 2005 pick Brad DiCandia (13th round).

Local invites include Soo North Stars Kevin Smith, Trevor McNutt, Adam Pyymaki, Dan Vernelli and Mark Hoffman. Nathan Abelson, from the midget AA Root River Rangers and the Michgan Sault's Jake Watchorn, who skated for the NOJHL's Northern Michigan Black Bears this past season, are also invites.

Aside from the on ice activities, players will visit will Greyhounds head coach Craig Hartsburg, general manager Dave Torrie and owner Dr. Lou Lukenda before going through fitness testing.

Parents of the players will also meet with the brass, last year's captain Tyler Kennedy and billet representatives before taking a tour of Bawating and meeting with Greyhound education co-ordinator Jerry Bumbacco.

*** CAMP INTINERARY:

SATURDAY, MAY 27TH, 2006

11:30 a.m. - Team Red Practice 12:45 p.m. - Team Black Practice 3:30 p.m. - Team Red Practice 4:30 p.m. - Team Black Practice 5:30 p.m. - Fan Appreciation Barbeque (back of Rhodes Arena)

SUNDAY, MAY 28TH, 2006

9:00 a.m. - Team Red –VS- Team Black

*** ROSTERS:

TEAM BLACK 30. Ben Smith G 6th Rd 2005 33. Josh Robinson G 14th Rd 2005 2. Dylan Tice RD 12th Rd 2005 3. Jacob Chiblow LD 14th Rd 2006 4. Dan Holwell LD FA / '89 5. Patrick Sheehan RD 11th Rd 2006 6. Mark Hoffman LD FA / '88 7. Jake Trudeau RD FA / '88 8. Chris MacKinnon LW 10th Rd 2005 9. Chris Dunham RC 4th Rd 2006 10. Bryan Cooper RW 7th Rd 2005 11. Mike Rivard LW 7th Rd 2006 12. Behn Robertson LC 8th Rd 2006 13. Brett Perlini RW 3rd Rd 2006 14. Dan Vernelli LW FA / '89 15. Paul Stewart RC 15th Rd 2006 16. Nathan Ableson RW FA / '89 17. Alex Falardeau RW FA / '89

TEAM RED 30. Zachary Zanussi G FA / '89 33. Jeff Larson G 10th Rd 2006 2. Dylan King LD 5th Rd 2006 3. Cameron Odam RD 10th Rd 2006 4. Stephen Farrell RD 7th Rd 2006 5. Kevin Smith RD FA / '89 6. Anthony Pisano LD FA / '89 7. Sean Jones LW 2nd Rd 2006 8. Joel McAllister RC 13th Rd 2006 9. James Livingston RW 1st Rd 2006 10. Nick Borg LW 11th Rd 2005 11. Brad DiCandia RC 13th Rd 2005 12. Mike Nedilsky RW 15th Rd 2005 13. Jake Watchorn RW FA / '89 14. Nicholas Cross LC FA / '88 15. Jake Carrick RW 6th Rd 2006 16. Trevor McNutt LW FA / '88 17. Adam Pymaki LC FA / '89

***