Training camp winding down for Greyhounds

It comes down to one more opportunity for some players to skate in the Ontario Hockey League during the 2018-19 season.

The Soo Greyhounds continued training camp on Thursday at the GFL Memorial Gardens and the day saw the roster cut down ahead of the final day of camp on Friday.

With two scrimmages on the docket on Thursday, it was a day that some players used as an opportunity to remain in camp and take one step closer to making the team.

Thursday’s second scrimmage saw the Greyhounds veterans sit out while the rest competed for spots in Friday’s annual Red/White game.

“It’s always interesting when you can get players back with their age group,” Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Raftis said. “Sometimes you have young players who default to the veteran players while they’re playing and some of the young guys really drove their own play tonight and it was good to see.”

The Greyhounds trimmed down its camp roster following Thursday’s evening scrimmage.

Among the cuts were free agent defencemen Brandon Benham, Antonio Silenu, Jonathan Mackin, Bryan Foster, and Michael Grace. Chris Clark, a defenceman drafted in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, was also among the cuts. 

Forwards Cameron Scrivens, and Justin Jenner were also cut. Both players were in camp as free agent invites.

With nine goalies in camp, the team also trimmed that number to six as Justin McIntyre, Nolan Dekoning and Dougie Newhouse were all cut.

Expecting to have three goalies following camp, Raftis said the battle for the third spot alongside veterans Matthew Villalta and Tyler Johnson is close as six goalies remain in camp.

“It’s tight,” Raftis said. “A lot of guys have had some good weeks. We’ll have to evaluate as we go through tomorrow.” 

Friday’s game will be the last chance to compete for roster spots as the Greyhounds look to trim its roster further ahead of exhibition action.

“Our veteran players really set the tone (to start camp). They were working hard and competing on both sides of the puck and for us, it’s about continuing that,” Raftis said. “Having the young guys stand out, it’s the last chance for some of these guys.”

Forward Mason Dreger was injured in Thursday’s evening scrimmage and did not finish the game.