Bulldogs hopefuls show what they’re made of
It might be called orientation camp, but Liam Van Loon understands what it really is: a tryout.
“You’ve always got to go out there and play your first shift like it’s your last,” the 15-year-old said. “You never know who’s watching you in the stands.”
A fast-as-lightning forward from London, Ont., Van Loon was among nearly 40 Hamilton Bulldogs hopefuls at the three-day camp at FirstOntario Centre and at Ancaster’s Morgan Firestone Arena over the weekend. They were put through their paces in practices, scrimmages and fitness tests, as the brass took notes on the team’s newest talents — on and off the ice.
“Everything is a tryout,” explained head coach John Gruden. “Practice is a tryout, how they behave at the hotel is a tryout, how they carry themselves around the rink — whether they open doors for people and look respectful — is a tryout. Those are the guys we want.”
Of the players who took part, 13 were selected in this year’s priority draft, including Van Loon — a third-round pick — and first-rounder Connor McMichael. A dozen, such as Connor Roberts and Riley McCourt, were members of the 2016 draft class, while five were chosen in the OHL’s inaugural under-18 selection earlier this month. Another handful were free agents. For players and their parents, the camp was an opportunity to meet the staff, see the rink and school facilities and learn more about the homestay program. It was also one of few chances the boys — mostly 15and 16-year-olds from across Ontario and parts of the U.S. — had to make an impression in advance of training camp in August. Only some will be invited.
A few of the things president and GM Steve Staios was watching for were competitiveness, skill and character — the latter becoming a priority under the former NHLer’s watch.
In fact, character is so important to Staios that he brought veterans Reilly Webb and Brandon Saigeon to camp this year to act as mentors.
They were tasked with advising the new recruits, and given carte blanche to show them “what it means to be a Bulldog” — the boss’s words.
“They have to know that once they’re out of minor hockey they’re going to be consistently evaluated,” the general manager added.
It was only a couple of years ago that Webb, now 17, was in their shoes.
He said camp can be tough sometimes and for that reason he was more than willing to play the part.
“It just gives them someone to look to and ask questions and whatever they need help with that day, whatever they’re going through, just mentoring them and being that support,” said the big defenceman from Stoney Creek.
It must have worked. At every position, the next generation of Bulldogs impressed over the weekend — although there were a few forwards in particular who had coaches and scouts buzzing.
Arthur Kaliyev, a second-round pick in 2017, lived up to his reputation as a natural goal scorer and, as Gruden put it, made something happen every time the puck was on his stick.
McMichael was dynamic and Jake Murray, who missed last year’s camp because he was recovering from cancer, made seemingly impossible small area plays.
Fifth-rounder Navrin Mutter was also relentless on the forecheck and hit pretty much everything that moved.
“His motor was incredible,” said Gruden.
The Bulldogs won’t have to wait long for another look at Mutter. He and six other prospects, including Van Loon and McMichael, are playing in this year’s OHL Gold Cup — an annual showcase in which Ontario’s top minor midget aged players compete for a spot at Hockey Canada’s national under-17 selection camp.
It takes place May 3 to 7 in Kitchener. NOTES: Kaliyev, 15, from New York, had a camp-high three goals and two assists in three scrimmages. Derek Seguin, Jack Ricketts, Kyle Fisher, Jared Froese, Chris Ishmael and Zack Osbourne each scored twice. Ben Woodhouse and Trevor LeDonne had three assists apiece, while Murray had a goal and two assists.