The Yorkton AAA RawTec Midget Maulers held their spring camp on the weekend in conjunction with the Junior Terriers.
Kevin Rawlick, coach of the Maulers, said the joint approach worked well.
鈥淚t was awesome,鈥� he said, adding they had 167 players in camp who could eventually play with the Midgets here.
鈥淲e had a lot of volunteers and a lot of scouts (helping evaluate talent),鈥� said Rawlick.
The camp attracted a strong group of 2003-born players, who, while too young for Midget, were put through conditioning drills and evaluated with an eye to the future.
Rawlick said he believes that building a relationship with younger players at camps will help when it comes time for them to decide where to play Midget.
At the same time, Rawlick said he spent time talking to teachers, principals, and neighbours of the young players, getting to know their character.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to have 20 kids committed to play at the next level,鈥� he said, adding players wanting to break into Junior hockey build a strong Midget program.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really looking at it as a team,鈥� he said.
As for players who may play with the Maulers this fall, Rawlick said he saw several players ready to take on roles.
鈥淚 think we鈥檙e going to be a little grittier, a little more physical, a bit quicker,鈥� he said.
