Head Coach Alex Evin is optimistic the team will be stronger after a down year

By Tommy Osborne

Spruce Kings

Spruce Kings back in action for training camp

Aug 31, 2024 | 12:37 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Hockey is just around the corner, as the Prince George Spruce Kings are only weeks away from kicking off their season. Today marked the first day of training camp, and Head Coach Alex Evin says he’s already liking what he’s seeing from his returning players.

“Our fitness testing went well, looks like our returning players have come in in good shape, hopefully ready to take a step on our little foundation we built with our young group last year. And then there are new players, integrating them as best we can to the team. And then obviously there’s some competition for certain spots, so day one was good,” Evin said.

Last season was one to forget for the Kings, as they only won 16 of 54 games and were swept in the first round of the playoffs. Heading into this season, Evin is excited to build off of last year’s foundations and see many of the returning second year players step up.

“It’s always fun to see a little 17-year-old come back and, you know, they look a little bigger and they look a little more mature and stronger, faster or whatnot, ready to go, so, those are always encouraging signs. And we’ve seen a lot of that from our returning guys, so I’m excited for those guys to earn their spots and take a step,” Evin said.

The Kings will remain one of the younger teams in the league, as the roster has many returning players heading into their second year, alongside 10 rookies. While player development will certainly be key for the Spruce Kings to have success this season, Evin adds integrating the new players is also a big focus.

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“Any returning player, they’re more, aware with how we do things and comfortable with how we practice and how we act and how we play and how we handle ourselves, and those players are going to be relied on to show the way for the new players,” Evin said.

The Spruce Kings will begin their season on September 20 on the road, and on September 27 the team will have its home opener against the Coquitlam Express.

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