Hounds immediately hit the ice as camp opens

The Soo Greyhounds kicked off their 2007-08 season on Wednesday afternoon with registration and a pair of practices.

The Greyhounds opened camp with 40 players vying for roster spots on a team that has 17 players returning from last year that went two rounds into the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. Of the 40 players the Greyhounds have six free agents competing for spots, including local products Luke O’Brien, Trevor McNutt, and Bronson Kovacs.

Wednesday’s camp opening marked a first for the team as the Greyhounds did not hold dryland training on opening day, instead opting for a pair of practices on the first day. Hounds coach Craig Hartsburg was pleased with the conditioning of his veteran players on the opening day.

“The work habits were there,” said Hartsburg. “Some of the younger kids are going to have to work on their conditioning but the veterans led the way. I thought they worked hard and the conditioning will come with it.”

Hartsburg went on to say that even though the Greyhounds have 18 players in camp with OHL experience, the veterans are not guaranteed spots.

“We know the guys that are coming back and we need them to take bigger responsibilities,” he said. “There’s nothing guaranteed for returning players. There’s some kids were looking at. I told the returning players nothing is guaranteed. If they don’t step up, somebody will step in. Nobody’s going to make this team by default.”

Hounds overage forward Brandon MacLean added that, although the Greyhounds won their first round playoff series against the Saginaw Spirit and took the London Knights to seven games they have high hopes for this season. MacLean feels that the team needs higher expectations heading into the season.

The line combinations in practice on opening day included:

Team Black

Jacob Lalonde – Matt Lyall – Arron Alphonso Brandon MacLean – Simon Fishhaber – Chris MacKinnon Mike Rivard – Chris Dunham – Patrick Stillar Trevor McNutt – Paul Stewart – Luke O’Brien

Team Red

Sean Jones – Dustin Jeffrey – James Livingstone Brandon Biggers – Jamie Haines – Josh Moes Jordan Carroll – Michael Fine – Jake Carrick Kyle Lapenskie – Behn Robertson – Colton Thornton

The defensive pairings for both teams varied through both practices. Hartsburg expects the line combinations to remain the same for day two.

Action continues on Thursday with practices at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. and a scrimmage at 4 p.m.