The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings are set to hit the ice this weekend for their main training camp, carrying the momentum from last season's run to the league finals. Head coach and general manager Cody Mapes is looking forward to seeing a competitive mix of returning veterans and new prospects battle for roster spots.
Mapes is eager to see his veteran players take on larger roles. He specifically pointed to the growth of the team's defensemen during the postseason.
“I think (Josh) Karman, (Luke) Schraeder, and (Simon) Martin and (Jonah) Bierd, they took huge steps in the playoffs last year and, you know, I'm really excited to see them continue to grow,” Mapes said. “I think you kind of saw why the playoff runs are so important for guys.”
Up front, he expects a pair of three-year veterans to anchor the offence.
“We've got a couple of three-year guys that, you know, they've stuck with the process and they really came to fruition in the playoffs last year with (Lucas) Schmid and (Drew) Molde,” Mapes noted, adding that their presence will make the team deep down the middle.
While the veteran core is strong, there will be plenty of opportunities for new players to make an impression. Mapes highlighted two Saskatchewan prospects he's particularly excited about.
“Having Jase McNichol come back after he was sent back to AAA last year and had a great end to his year, you know, we're excited to have him back in the mix,” Mapes explained. He also mentioned draft pick Roan Burgess, who was close to making the team as a 17-year-old last season.
Fans may notice a slightly smaller, more focused camp this year, a change Mapes said is by design. He attributes the smaller numbers to factors like rule changes and more players attending Western Hockey League or NCAA camps. However, he sees a significant upside.
"I love it though,” he said. “It's going to be a little more one-on-one, a little more competitive. And I love the fact that our coaching staff gets a little more time on the ice with each team.”
The camp gets underway on Friday and will feature three teams competing in a series of scrimmages over the weekend. The teams will practice during the day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the teams playing in the evening.
The weekend culminates on Monday with the annual Eric Calibaba Cup Red and White game. It serves as the final evaluation for the players and the first chance for fans to see the potential 2025-26 roster in action. Mapes predicts this year's game will be one of the best yet.
“I think you'll probably see more vets in that game this year than you have in the past,” he stated. “It'll be a really good calibre game, I think.”