One final weekend of preparation for the Regina Pats before the regular season gets underway next week.
The Pats will square off with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the final two games of the exhibition season beginning Friday night in Moose Jaw at 7:00.
Head Coach Dave Struch says having less players at training camp made for a more effective preseason for the team.
“In past years we’ve had rookie camps where players have made through to main camp, this was very limited, obviously with the situation with COVID, one positive out of it for the Pats organization, the smaller numbers made for a more competitive camp, allows for the daily preparation and getting better as players.”
With the regular season right around the corner, there’s a lot buzz surrounding the team according to General Manager John Paddock. “We’re back into a real situation here, so I think there’s a lot of anticipation for us and there’s a lot of anticipation throughout the league and I think that we’re going to have a lot excitement surrounding us”
After being confined inside of the bubble of WHL hub in Regina, the Pat players were happy to enjoy a normal type of training camp this year. “It’s awesome to have the training camp again” says Pats forward Jakob Brooke, “Getting to know the guys a little bit better of freedom outside of the rink. We’ve doing stuff like golfing together and being able to get to know the guys outside of the rink we were confined to one area for a long time last year and it’s been good to have the freedom to do other stuff than hockey.”
Brook’s teammate Connor Bedard agreed. “Last year we were always together and I think that was good for me in my first year, getting to know a lot of the guys.” Bedard added “I think it’s been a really good camp and seeing the team we have, I think it’s going to be a really good year.”
You can tune into Saturday’s preseason finale for the Pats on 620 CKRM, as they host the Warriors at the Brandt Centre, the pregame show begins at 6:35, opening faceoff set for 7:00.
After the conclusion this weekend’s preseason games with the Warriors, the Pats will open up the regular season with pair of games against the Prince Albert Raiders. The season opener will go Friday night in Prince Albert with the Pats home opener on Saturday afternoon, with a 1:00 opening faceoff at the Brandt Centre.
