U-15 Whl Poe Skills Combine begins journey to the Games
By Kyle Prystupa Photo courtesy Hockey Manitoba
The first look is over and the evaluation period will be a long, arduous journey. But also one that will be well worth it.
Although the final product of U-16 Team Manitoba won’ t be unveiled until the 2018- 19 season, the 2017 U-15 WHL POE Skills Combine hosted by Hockey Manitoba marked the first evaluation in what will be a gruelling test leading up to the 2019 Canada Games in Red Deer.
A total of 126 male players born in 2003 were invited to attend this pre-season development camp featuring WHL Combine testing, skills and goalie development practices led by Team Manitoba coaches. It provided an invaluable opportunity for players to make a strong first impression with WHL scouts and Team Manitoba staff.
Specific to U-16 Team Manitoba and the U-16 Program of Excellence, the event allowed an exclusive opportunity for Team Manitoba coaches to begin to form relationships with the top players in our province and assess more than just hockey ability. Hockey Manitoba, and
Hockey Canada, place an extremely high value on player character and personal traits when identifying players for provincial and national teams. The belief is that the most talented and skilled players will be identified for the final roster, but what separates those players from making it or not is their willingness to“ buy into” the program, to be a character person and effective teammate.
“ It’ s still a long time until 2019,” said Garth Mitchell, who will serve as head coach of Team Manitoba at the 2019 Canada Games.“ However, we’ ve had a nice opportunity to influence these players with the intangibles that will be required to progress within the program and ultimately challenge for a final roster spot.”
Throughout the early part of 2017-18 season players will be scouted and evaluated by Hockey Manitoba to form the 2018 Manitoba Games rosters. The Manitoba Games rosters will be named in early December of 2017, followed by development camps held December 27-30 in Dauphin and Selkirk.
SEPTEMBER 2017 | GAME ON | 17