The Junior B Airdrie Thunder and the Airdrie Xtreme Bantam AAA hockey clubs will both hold tryouts at the Ron Ebbesen Arena beginning Sept. 3.
Three days of workouts will then wrap on Labour Day with the Xtreme’s annual intrasquad Tie-Dye game at 10:30 a.m. and the Thunder’s annual intrasquad Red and White game at 4 p.m.
Frank McEvoy, president and general manager of the Thunder, said coaches would be looking for a number of different player attributes, although they may still look at some players after this weekend.
“I think we should have a pretty good crowd, usually 30-40 on the first night, because some guys are still at Junior A camp or deciding what to do,” he said.
“We’re looking for at least one goaltender for sure. We’re also looking for one or two d-men and probably six or seven forwards. There’s some Airdrie kids who I really think could crack the lineup. We’re looking pretty good, I think.”
Ralph Eggins, manager for the Xtreme, said his club would have 80 players trying to make the roster, including four returning from last year’s team.
“We have a pretty strong nucleus of players,” he said. “We might not have the size on defence that we’ve had in years gone by, but I still think we’ll be solid in that position. This will be complete tryout, as everyone needs to show up to make the team.”
The camp will be pared down to 30 skaters by the Tie-Dye game and then down to 24 or 25 afterwards. The Xtreme will then participate in a pre-season exhibition tournament at the East Calgary Twin Arenas, Sept. 10-12, before naming its 19-man final roster.
The Xtreme’s season opener is against the Okotoks Oilers at the Ron Ebbesen Arena on Sept. 18 at 7:15 p.m.
The Thunder opens its season against the Mountainview Colts at the Ron Ebbesen Arena on Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.
