Training camp is wrapping up and the North Bay Battalion are gearing up for their first weekend getaway of the 2019/20 season.
The Troops head to Kitchener to take on the Rangers, Peterborough Petes, and Saginaw Spirit over the weekend with a roster that is in transition. Gone from last season’s squad are captain Justin Brazeau and veteran Luke Burghardt, but Assistant GM and Assistant Coach Adam Dennis likes the team’s veteran leadership.
“We’re going to lean on Brad Chenier and Matt Struthers heavily this year. They bring a lot to our lineup and from there we’re looking at guys to step up into those roles. It’s a big void to fill with Justin Brazeau, but what you are going to see in our dressing room is a lot of character kids and we are going to be a team that won’t be outworked.”
The Troops will still be trying to figure out what they have from their crop of younger players as the weekend games get underway.
“It’s a three in three, you get on the road with some new guys and it’s a good team bonding opportunity. This early in the season you want to see guys make names for themselves and take ice. Go take it, make our decisions tough and that is what we want.” Dennis explained when asked about what the team was looking for this weekend.
One player from this current roster that the Battalion will be without as the preseason goes on is Matthew Struthers. Struthers, the center for Brazeau throughout his record-breaking season, had a tryout with the American League’s Laval Rocket last season. During that try-out, Struthers picked up a goal but also left an impression with the parent club, the Montreal Canadiens as they added him to their rookie camp roster this year.
“My goal is to leave an impression,” Struthers said. “Whether they want to do something with me or not, I just want to leave an impression and put my best foot forward. If they end up signing me and I stick there, or I am back here, either option is really good.”
For fans looking to get their first glimpse, the Troops lone home preseason game is Sunday, September 15, when the team hosts the Owen Sound Attack, ahead of the season opener on September 20.
