Thoughts During Camp

Three days of scrimmages have come and gone and now it's time for the Spokane Chiefs annual red white game on Sunday.  I always go to the scrimmages to see the upcoming players and to get excited about hockey again.  In some ways it has a Christmas time feel for me.

Let me say this right off the top:  This team is going to be fun to watch.  There is a lot of young talent on this roster that reinforces my belief that the Spokane Chiefs are on the rise again.  Before camp I thought Matt Berlin was a neat lock for the backup goalie.  After the way Donovan Buskey played I am less certain of that.  Buskey looked rock solid during the time I saw him.  He has a good eye on the puck and doesn't overplay anything.  Ty Smith is definitely legit.  I noticed a couple of times that he was out of position on the first day but by day 2 that seemed to be corrected.  Koby Morrisseau looked great.  I think he makes the final roster.  He definitely connected with McIndoe.  Also playing well with Morriseau and McIndoe was Jake McGrew.  I didn't mention him before camp and now I feel bad about that.  He's a solid player that worked hard every shift.  Wouldn't be surprised at all if he makes the team.  Eli Zummack also looked good and I think will show that the Helewka trade was a good one.

The returning vets looked about the way I thought they would.  Kailer Yamamoto and Jared Anderson-Dolan look primed for their draft year.  Hudson Elynuik looked like he was ready to be a leader.  Helgesen and Fiala looked strong (I think one of those two wears the 'C' this season).  Sittler looked comfortable in net.  If he has a good season the Chiefs will go far.

The roster will now get trimmed for the red white game on Sunday.  Definitely looking forward to that.  After all, it's free hockey!