Hounds begin on-ice scrimmages today

The boys are back in town.

The Soo Greyhounds hit the ice this morning as several Ontario Hockey League hopefuls begin on-ice scrimmages for the team's two-day mini-camp featuring draft picks from the 2002 and 2003 OHL drafts.

Included in the mini-camp and likely candidates to start the regular season with the Greyhounds are first round pick Chris Lawrence and second rounders David Jarram and Matt Leszczynski from the 2003 draft. Only Tyler Kennedy, the Hounds first round pick in 2002, is exempt from the mini-camp.

Scrimmages are scheduled today and tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day at Memorial Gardens. Players reported, registered and were put through fitness testing drills yesterday.

The Hounds will open their main camp with registration and fitness testing on Wednesday. On-ice workouts begin Thursday with scrimmages at 9:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. Players will scrimmage Friday at 10 a.m. before participating in the annual Red/White Game at 7 p.m.

The Hounds open their exhibition schedule on Labour Day Monday against the Saginaw Spirit at Memorial Gardens beginning at 2 p.m.