Greyhounds coach sees 'self-motivated group' in camp

With roster moves set to be made in the coming days ahead of the exhibition opener, the message is a simple one.

“If we have to deliver a message to you now and you’re trying to make a hockey club, you’re probably not in the right spot,” said Soo Greyhounds coach John Dean Wednesday evening following day two of training camp.

“Don’t get me wrong, we want to make sure there’s consistent messaging and these guys hear from us, but at the same time, if I have to motivate you or influence you in any way, it’s probably not a good thing,” Dean also said.

Dean added that the group in camp is “very self-motivated.”

“They know how to showcase their tools and what they think they bring to the table,” Dean added.

While he wasn’t disappointed with opening day on Tuesday, Dean said things amped up for Wednesday’s action.

“The practices and games were better, there’s no doubt about it,” Dean said.

“More than anything, yesterday I was happy with it, but today was another step in the right direction,” Dean also said. “Some guys separated themselves from the herd and showed what they’re capable of.”

Greyhounds general manager Kyle Raftis echoed Dean’s thoughts.

“You started to see a little more separation,” Raftis said. “Guys were making more plays. There weren’t as many bobbled pucks and nerves. Every game was competitive, and guys are starting to play hard. It wasn’t floating around like summer hockey. There were more moments that resembled in-season (play).”

Veteran defenceman Caeden Carlisle didn’t skate on Wednesday after suffering an injury in Tuesday’s evening scrimmage.