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Greyhounds camp date set

General Manager Kyle Raftis said he could receive news on players selected in the CHL Import Draft in the next seven to 10 days
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With training camp set to open on Aug. 29, the Soo Greyhounds continue to prepare as the Ontario Hockey League season approaches.

The new season marks the end of what has been a busy summer for a number of Greyhounds and the start of new expectations.

“It’s been a busy time for a lot of our guys both on the international stage and with NHL development camps and it’s been fun to keep up with them and those activities,” said Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Raftis. “The summer goes by quickly and it’s always exciting when training camp is on the verge of coming back. In the spring when you’re planning in, you’re always envisioning who is going to take that step in their development.”

Raftis said he expected to have more information on the status of the Greyhounds two selections in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft – Swedish defenceman Rasmus Sandin and Finnish centre Rasmus Kupari – in the next “week to 10 days.”

“I’m starting to get some positivity from one of the camps,” Raftis said. “It’s looking like we’ll probably get one (to join the team) but I have to circle back with them here once everyone gets back from the Ivan Hlinka tournament.”

Both players suited up for their respective countries at the recently completed Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup that wrapped up on Saturday.

In addition to Sandin and Kupari competing in the tournament, Greyhounds forward Barrett Hayton suited up for the gold medal-winning Canadian entry. Raftis commended the play of the 17-year-old at the tournament.

“He went into their camp and I don’t think there was any guarantee of him making the team or where he was going to be situated (in the lineup),” Raftis said. “He kept moving up the lineup in each intra-squad game and exhibition game.

“He just seemed to get more and more responsibility (as the tournament progressed),” Raftis added. “It’s a great sign. When coaches go over, they want to win gold. It’s not so much a development tournament on that side of it. When you put on that Hockey Canada jersey, although it’s a great experience, they want to win.”

Raftis said the situations Hayton was used in by Canadian Coach Brent Kisio is a “feather in his hat.”

In speaking about preparing for training camp, Raftis said it can be a tough time of year for coaches with players moving in and out due to pro commitments.

“I find that OHL training camps are very much hurry up and wait,” Raftis said. “When you have an elite group, you usually have a lot of guys away at NHL camps and you don’t truly know what you have until you get all of those guys back and working together.”

Following the opening of training camp, the Greyhounds will open exhibition action on Sept. 2 in Saginaw before hosting the Spirit the following afternoon.

Regular season action opens on Sept. 23 when the Greyhounds host the Oshawa Generals.


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Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
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