The Calgary Roughnecks opened its 2011 National Lacrosse League training camp at Airdrie’s Genesis Place last weekend, with local product Jordan Sealock among the 35 players competing for a roster spot.
The Roughnecks held three training sessions at Genesis Place’s indoor soccer fields, Dec. 4-5, running through a number of conditioning drills and early work on the team’s offensive and defensive systems.
“It was all expected, as everyone came into camp in really good shape, and it was good to get the guys together for the first time to build some unity,” said Sealock, who was drafted 32nd overall by the NLL club earlier this year. “For the most part, I think we went out well.”
The 6’2” defenseman was originally drafted by the Roughnecks 60th overall in 2006, but he elected to spend the next four years playing NCAA lacrosse and earning a degree at Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania. He became a team captain in his junior and senior seasons and was named a league all-star in his final year with the Colonials.
Sealock played briefly with the Nanaimo Timbermen in B.C.’s Senior A league this summer, but hasn’t played the indoor game consistently since 2008, so he knows he’ll be in tough during the Roughnecks’ training camp.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve been back in the box game, so I’m still trying to get my feet about me,” Sealock said. “The box game is a lot different, but I’ve been taking the coaching to heart and am trying to learn and execute the systems. These guys are at the elite level of coaching, and know what they’re talking about, so I’m just listening to what they have to say.”
The Roughnecks were scheduled to hold training camp at the Calgary Soccer Centre, but after its roof collapsed on Nov. 22 the team scrambled to find an alternative location. Genesis Place was selected – something that may give Sealock an advantage.
“It makes it a little easier – it’s 10 minutes for me while the other guys have to drive maybe a half hour back to Calgary,” he said. “I’ve been using this facility right here to train a lot and the Roughnecks trainer has us on a good program. I’m feeling pretty good and looking forward to the rest of camp. It is a goal in my life to play amongst the best of the best, and a goal that I can hopefully achieve this upcoming season. Hopefully the coaches will see something in me and I’ll be able to crack the roster.”
The camp will continue with sessions at Genesis Place between 8-10 a.m. and 3-5 p.m., Dec. 11, and 8-10 a.m., Dec. 12. Each practice is open to the public, free of charge.
