The Airdrie Xtreme AAA club ended last season with a quick first-round exit from the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL) playoffs.
The team is hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.
So for head coach Terry Keogh and the nearly 90 players trying out for this year’s team, conditioning camp this past week was the first step towards redemption.
“It’s just to get these guys ready and give a bit of insight to where their game has to be,” Keogh said.
“And for those that haven’t been playing or working out over the summer, it gives them a chance to get their legs underneath them, tryout new equipment and stuff, so Friday when we start evaluating, they are ready to go.”
The Xtreme’s four-day conditioning camp wrapped up Sept. 1, with official team tryouts beginning Sept. 2.
Four veterans from last year’s team will be among the hopefuls, with many second-year Bantam players trying to make the move from AA to AAA.
“It looks like they’re coming back in good shape, so we’ll be looking to them to set the tone and show the other guys where they have to be to play at this level,” Keogh said of the returning players.
“I like some of the talent I’m seeing out there so far and there’s been a few surprises. A few guys have come in out of condition obviously, but others are in good condition. I’m pleasantly surprised with a couple of guys whose skill has definitely improved over the summer.”
The Xtreme will have a skills night on Sept. 2, before a series of inter-squad games on Sept. 3 and 4.
A batch of releases will then occur, with the remaining players taking to the Ron Ebbesen ice at 10:30 a.m. on Labour Day for the annual Tie-Dye game.
The team will then make another series of cuts before participating in a preseason tournament in Calgary between Sept. 9-11. Its season-opener will be at home on Sept. 17 against the Okotoks Bisons.
