Hounds expecting tough roster decisions

The Soo Greyhounds 2005 training camp kicked in to high gear on Friday night as the annual Red & White game was held before a crowd of roughly 2000 people at Memorial Gardens.

The game, originally slated for Sunday, was moved to Friday night as a number of players in camp are heading to NHL training camps which will begin on Sunday in a number of NHL cities.

The Greyhounds were expecting to lose Chris Lawrence (Tampa Bay), Jason Pitton (New York Islanders), Kyle Wharton (Columbus), Tyler Kennedy (Pittsburgh), and Andrew Desjardins (Los Angeles).

Hounds CHL Import Draft selection David Kuchjeda has yet to make an appearance at camp as he is at the Chicago Blackhawks rookie camp, although he is expected to be joining the team this weekend.

In the Red/White game itself, Team White used a goal by newcomer Cody Thornton just 1:31 into the second period to secure a 2-1 victory over Team Red. Andrew Desjardins scored the other Team White goal while Jeff Manryk scored the lone Team Red goal.

Following the game, the Hounds also make two moves as they cut goaltenders Lou George, a 12th Round Draft Pick in 2003 as well as local product Travis O'Brien. The two cuts leave the Greyhounds at four goaltenders.

Veteran Kyle Gajewski is expected to be this years starter, while Jason Lindner, Matt Hache and Will Neifeld are all keeping an even keel as they battle it out for the backup spot behind Gajewski.

Hounds General Manager Dave Torrie commented that he was pleased with the way camp has played out, which will make for some tough personnel decisions as management prepares the team's final roster.

"I think overall we've been pleased (with the way camp has gone)," Torrie said. "Overall, the intensity level and competition level has been good. You always want even more, but it's been a good first two days. Some kids have performed better than we expected while some kids haven't performed as good as we expected."

Torrie added that two specific players have stood out for him, those two being veterans Andrew Desjardins and Josh Day.

"As a veteran (Desjardins) has come in and worked his way up the ladder,' Torrie said of the 17-goal scorer from a year ago. "For a younger player who has stepped up I think it's Josh Day. There's been a lot of other good players but those are two guys we're loving form."

Training camp continues on Saturday as a scrimmage is set for 5 p.m. while another scrimmage is set for Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The Hounds will play their first exhibition game on Friday as the Saginaw Spirit make their lone pre-season appearance at Memorial Gardens. Game time is 7 p.m.