The boys are back in town.
The Yarmouth Junior A Mariners hit the ice for training camp tonight at Mariners Centre.
Around 40 players are in camp battling for 22 spots on the roster.
Mariners Head Coach and General Manager Laurie Barron says he’s excited for camp with a lot of young talent.
“The guys are excited to be here. It bodes well for the team, and I think this is the most contested training camp that I’ve been involved in,” he says.
The Mariners are also waiting to hear the fate of some of their players attending Quebec Major Junior camps.
The Blue/Grey intersquad games take place Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm.
Barron says he hopes to have the roster trimmed to 26-28 players by Sunday night.
The Mariners missed the postseason for the first time since 2010 last year, finishing last in the Eastlink South Division.
Players from last year are ready to turn things around.
Last year’s leading scorer Aaron Maillet says he had a good offseason.
“I’m excited, we brought in a lot of new guys, and it should be a big change from last year,” he says.
“I’m trying to round out my all around game, play better [defense], and hope the offense is still there”
One bright spot for Yarmouth was goaltender Leif Hertz, who quickly emerged as the number one goalie.
Hertz says there will be competition in the crease during training camp.
“It’s mine to lose at this point, I think,” he says.
“Obviously you got to prove yourself every year, and hopefully I can get the number one spot again.”
Barron talked about changing the culture at a meet and greet last night.
He says it’s about competing hard at practice and in games each and every day, and being a team that Yarmouth can be proud of.
The first exhibition game is Tuesday in Brooklyn, Hants County against the Valley Wildcats.
