Pacha pleased with Stars’ first practice

Dundee Stars head coach Omar Pacha was pleased with what he saw from his new squad after day one of their pre-season training camp.

Yesterday saw the start of Dundee’s on-ice preparation for the new Elite League season which is less than two weeks away now.

Pacha has brought in all his new recruits and returning players for a week-long training camp at Dundee Ice Arena as he prepares his new squad for the coming season and their two challenge matches against Danish club Odense Bulldogs.

The Stars take on the Danish top tier outfit at home this Saturday (7pm) and Sunday (5pm) to test themselves before beginning their league campaign the following weekend.

Reflecting on his first day with his new group, Pacha said: “It was good to get all the guys in, we were missing Elgin Pearce sadly but it was good to see the pace and it was a good pace for the first practice.

“I liked the way everybody skated and I liked how they were communicating really well on the ice, you can certainly see that there was a lot of positives from day one.

“Everybody was in good shape, skating well and nobody struggled during practice, which is good.

“It is a long day, the first few days always are as we have a lot of meetings, but the guys all did well and I am sure they will do even better today.”

This was the Canadian’s first chance to see how his players’ summer of hard work had paid off and he was pleased with the readiness of the squad.

Pacha added: “Everybody seemed really sharp and able to move the puck well.

“I thought our goaltenders looked good too, Brython (Preece) surprised me but it is a process and we want to keep getting better every day, so overall it was a good first day.”

Pacha also stressed the importance of his players being ready to go from the off and how he is ready to start implementing his tactics for this season.

“It is important to come into camp in good shape, it is really important that everybody realises with the level the game is at and it being a short camp that it is so crucial to get into good shape in the off-season,” said Pacha.

“Yesterday was a bit more flowing and focused on puck battles but today is going to be starting on our systematic play.

“Today will be more structured and more about teaching the oneice side and maybe not as intense as yesterday, but it is to make sure that we are learning every day.”

While forward Elgin Pearce is still yet to arrive in Dundee, young defenceman Drew Rumgay was invited to join the training camp.

The 17-year-old played last season with the Dundee Comets in the Scottish National League and the Stars Under 20s side but Pacha wanted to give the Dundonian a chance to learn, improve and also show his potential.

Omar said: “He is a young kid from Dundee with real potential, we just wanted to give him a chance to show us what he is capable of.”

There is an open training session on Friday as the Stars round off their pre-season preparations before their two matches against Odense.

Tickets are still available from the box office.

Omar Pacha wants his Stars team to be ready from the off.