Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Yes, for the first time in his tenure as general manager, Cam Russell is facing some tough ones when it comes to his roster as the Halifax Mooseheads open training camp at Cole Harbour Place tomorrow.
After two dreadful years in the QMJHL basement, the Mooseheads have slowly restocked the cupboards to the point where overall team depth will dictate that several QMJHL-calibre players will be either traded or cut.
“This is the first year in a while where we’ve really looked at our roster for training camp and we’re actually trying to figure out where everybody is going to play,” said Russell, who took over as general manager in January 2009 but is entering his fifth season as head coach.
“It’s the first time we’ve been really excited looking at the lineup, coming into camp, in a while.”
The Mooseheads’ 42-player training camp roster features a whopping 24 players with at least one game of QMJHL experience and a handful of highly touted freshmen ready to take their spots.
Up front, decisions will be most difficult, with hot-shot rookies Luca Ciampini, Darcy Ashley, Matthew Boudreau, Andrew Ryan and Francis Turbide hungry for ice time along with 11 returning regulars.
“There are no guarantees — nobody is getting a free ride here,” Russell said. “The players who show us and prove to the fans they’ll do anything to be in the lineup — those are the players we want.”
A new season
Mooseheads fans are sure to be celebrating today’s opening of training camp. Here’s what to be on the lookout for:
• Today The Mooseheads will have off-ice testing and a team barbecue at Cole Harbour Place.
• Sunday The Mooseheads have a home-and-home exhibition series with the Saint John Sea Dogs on Saturday and Sunday. They play at the Forum on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
• More info Follow @metroqfiles on Twitter and visit www.metronews.ca/qfiles for the latest from Cole Harbour Place.
