It was a great return to the ice over the weekend for Cariboo Hockey as all of their teams held training camps at Kin Centre.
This included both the U15’s and U16’s.
The U15 AAA Cougars went 14-14-0-2 in the 19/20 season and were 3rd in the BCMML standings.
Meanwhile, the U16 Cougars sat with a record of 26-5-1 and were the top team entering the U16 playoffs last year.
However, for the younger age groups going to a training camp looks a little bit different compared to older members of Cariboo Hockey, but the goals of all of the athletes is the same. To improve and move on to the next level.
“It is, but as coaches and players, we want them to fight through adversity,” stated U15 Head Coach Mirsad Mujcin.
“I’m hoping this can be rewarding down the road for them to see what they went through and miss it so much.”
For these younger age groups like the U15’s and the U16’s, the coaching staffs are preparing players for their next jump and it’s rewarding for the staff as they see players who had had success with them move up.
“With success comes great bonds,” shared U16 Head Coach Ryan Howse.
“The conversations I’ve had with my guys from last year seeing them this year is it’s like we never left each other. The tough times, the ups and downs we went through last year together builds that. Now these kids know what to expect.”
Now the challenge for the coaching staffs of both the U15’s and the U16’s will be keeping their players engaged following try-outs because as of right now they are not sure of when they will be able to start playing games.
“Unfortunately, it is going to be a lot of practices,” added Howse.
“When it comes to games, we will have to wait and see. It is going to be challenging at the start to keep kids focused and engaged and practicing and trying to compete every day. Hopefully when games do start that we will be ready to go.”
