Petes starting anew under new coach
Rob Wilson makes a good first impression as camp opens
New Peterborough Petes head coach Rob Wilson appears to have made a good first impression on players.
Wilson had his first opportunity to address players as a group in an orientation meeting Monday prior to fitness testing at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School.
Since being hired in May, Wilson had met with or talked to all returning players
Returning veterans expressed excitement at starting with a new coach.
“A new coach means a new opportunity for everyone,” said sophomore forward Nick Robertson.
“He hasn’t really seen us play so you have to prove yourself. I think it makes everyone a little more humble coming in.”
Cole Fraser met with Wilson for lunch in the off-season.
“Things are going to change in the way that guys are going to be held a little more accountable,” Fraser said. “The whole team is going to bond really well. I trained with a couple of guys he used to coach in Germany and they said he was one of the best coaches they ever had, if not the best. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him. I think things are going to be just different and better. Everyone is really excited for this year and to see what Rob has to bring to the table.”
Zach Gallant said he talked with Wilson several times in the summer.
“I have nothing but good to say,” said Gallant.
“He’s going to hold guys accountable. He seems more on you a little bit, in a good way. He’s going to be tougher with guys and making sure they’re doing the right things all the time.” Robertson said.
“He’s very structured. He’s all business which is what our team needs. He’s a focused guy.”
Wilson tried to set his expectations during the initial meeting.
“My message was to come to camp with the right attitude,” said Wilson. “This is a great experience that comes and goes quick. I expect a highly competitive camp. Catch my eye for the right reasons. Compete on every shift, compete for every puck and go to the net hard. Don’t catch my eye for the wrong reason like bad body language or not being a good teammate or giving up on a play. Do the little things right and everyone has a legit shot. I’ll be watching carefully.
“There is always a surprise, both ways,” Wilson said.
“I wish I would have realized that when I was younger. Sometimes you go to camp thinking they invited me as a spare part. Sometimes you look back and I realize now if the right message had been sent, and maybe it would have been missed, but with a little bit of luck and getting caught with the right set of eyes on you at the right moment anything can happen.”
Players hit the Memorial Centre ice Tuesday for scrimmages beginning at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
NOTES: First-round draft pick Will Cuylle, who did not report to Petes’ camp, had two assists for the OJHL’s North York Rangers in an exhibition game Sunday.… Petes 2017 fourth-round pick
Daniel Panetta is at Petes camp despite an earlier commitment to Colgate University. “He wants to make the team,” said Petes GM
Mike Oke. Panetta had eight goals and 19 points in 54 games for the Wellington Dukes last season.… Sixth-round pick Michael Suda opted not to come to camp to start school in Buffalo on Monday, said Oke.… Seventhround pick Luc Reeve is not at camp as he is participating for Team Ontario in a national golf championship in Windsor. “He will come later in the week to spend some time with us,” Oke said…. Eighth-round pick Sheldon Serraglio is absent due to injury.