Coach impressed early
Two days into training camp and Fred Harbinson couldn’t be happier.
“We’re extremely pleased with the tempo of play and overall team speed,” said the Penticton Vees president, GM and head coach. “We’ll be doing the official fitness testing (on Saturday), but the guys are all back in fantastic shape.”
Harbinson noted the Vees are also missing two of the quickest players in the entire league in forwards Massimo Rizzo and Grant Cruikshank, both absent from the on-ice sessions this week with minor upper-body injuries.
And for the second straight year, the Vees are integrating a group of players from the Anaheim Ducks midget program into the first three days of camp.
“Those kids are getting their first taste of playing at this level and they’ve looked real good,” said Harbinson.
One of the Ducks players is none other than Leevi Selanne – son of recently retired NHL superstar Teemu Selanne.
Leevi Selanne will be among those suiting up in a Vees uniform tonight for the first pre-season game against the West Kelowna Warriors at Royal LePage Place.
“It’s going to be mainly a bunch of young guys, more of a rookie game,” said Harbinson. “We’ll have some 2001s and even a 2002-born kid in the lineup.”
On Thursday, the two groups will resume practices at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. It will be the last day at camp for the Anaheim youngsters.
Highlighting Friday’s slate is the annual “Peaches Cup” game at 5 p.m. Harbinson said some local minor hockey players will get a chance to suit up alongside the Vees veterans. There is no admission charge for the game.
The Vees resume practising Monday at 11 a.m. and will take on West Kelowna in the return pre-season game Wed., Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at the SOEC.
“Next week we’ll be down to close to what our team will look like,” said Harbinson. “It’s our only home pre-season game and then we don’t play at home in the regular season until (Sept. 29), so we want to have close to our best lineup out there for our fans to see.”
Rizzo could be back by then, Cruikshank is still about three weeks away, while defenceman Kenny Johnson is being held out until the two pre-season games in Brooks, Alta. Sept. 1-2.
Johnson missed the entire playoffs due to a shoulder injury and is not involved in contract drills as yet.
“Kenny is looking really strong in practice and he’s up to 233 pounds,” said Harbinson.
“He’s going to be an important guy for us back (on the blueline).”
Harbinson had rave reviews for all the veterans. He said forward Taylor Ward has been a force so far in camp and is shooting the puck exceptionally well; gifted defenceman Jonny Tychonick packed on some pounds and is noticeably stronger, and forward Jared Nash starred with three assists as Group 2 posted a 6-3 win over Group 1 in the first scrimmage game Monday.
The coach also said veteran forward Ben Allen, who starred last season for Saskatchewan league champions Battlefords North Stars, has looked “exactly as we thought. He looks real strong out there.”
Harbinson also heaped praise on his potentially outstanding tandem of rookie Adam Scheel and second-year man Nolan Hildebrand.
“Scheel has been awesome, you can tell he’s played at a high level. Hildebrand just looks a lot more poised and confident,” said Harbinson. “We’re going to be in pretty good shape in goal.”