The Cochrane Generals are fine-tuning their roster for the HJHL season with the first of two home-and-home preseason series this weekend.
Tonight, the Gens are in Didsbury to face the Mountainview Colts, then return to Totem One for a rematch Sunday, Sept. 7, at 5 p.m.
The Generals don’t typically face the Colts in preseason, but it’s an ideal matchup to get the adrenaline flowing.
“They’re a tough team like us,” said Gens head coach Derek Bell. "They’re not a run-and-gun type of team. They’re built more like us — fast-paced, hard-hitting, and hard to play against.”
The series is part of an intense camp that saw 50 players lace up last weekend in hopes of becoming a Gen.
“We’ve slimmed down since then,” Bell said. “Unfortunately, we had to release a lot of really good players to other junior B and C leagues. But with what we have in camp right now, we are extremely strong and looking forward to playing Mountainview.”
Currently, the roster includes 22 forwards, nine defencemen, and four goalies, with a few players still in major junior camps who may return.
Bell said the coaching staff won’t rush decisions on the final roster.
“We’re going to take our time, pick the right guys, and give every young man an opportunity to make this team.”
So what can fans expect on Sunday?
“They’ll see a little of something different, but not a whole lot,” Bell said. “We’re going to be the hardest-working team on the ice and the fastest team. I think we’ll even be a little quicker than last year, so it should be a speedy hockey game.”
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The Gens round out the preseason with a home-and-home series against the Airdrie Thunder. The first game is here on Sept. 11 with a 7 p.m. puck drop. The Gens head to Airdrie the following day for a rematch.
They kick off their regular season on the road against the Okotoks Bisons on Sept. 19, a rematch of sorts against the team that ended their last season in a barnburner of a HJHL south division semifinal.
After two more road games, their home opener is on Sept. 27 against the Strahmore Wheatland Kings.