Texas Brahmas sign three to training camp roster at annual "Making the Cut" prospect camp

Three attendees to join the 2008-09 training camp roster

The Texas Brahmas annual "Making the Cut" prospect camp began on Thursday evening with a one-hour meeting. Brahmas Head Coach Dan Wildfong and Assistant Coach Ron Vogel were on hand to instruct and inform the athletes as to what the Brahmas expectations are for the 2008-09 season.

In attendance were 22 players from as near as Austin, Texas and as far as Australia; all hoping to earn one of two official CHL training camp contracts and the possibility of playing professional hockey with the Brahmas. Paperwork was completed, rules were set and questions were answered before all headed back to their hotel to get some rest.

On Friday morning, the camp began at 8:30am with a warm-up session before players headed for instruction in the locker room. All hit the ice at 10:00am for nearly two hours of drills designed to show the coaches what they had to work with in regards to each athlete's skill levels. After a one-hour break for lunch, the camp followed basically the same format as in the morning with the players enduring a very physical regimen during the afternoon on-ice session. This was followed by a session in the weight room for strength testing.

Saturday's schedule was much like Friday's, with exception of a late-afternoon Goalie session with all players. On Sunday, a large number of fans and even several Texas Brahmas players were in attendance to watch the scrimmage and final on-ice workouts. After all the camp attendees got showers and into their street clothes, the process of eliminations began with coaches Wildfong and Vogel taking each player into the office for a one-on-one interview about their observations during the three-day camp. Nineteen players did not make the cut.

I spoke briefly with coaches Wildfong and Vogel after the final cuts were made.

Q: Dan, what was your overall feeling about the camp?

A: I was really impressed compared to even last years' "Making the Cut". If we're comparing it on a scale of one to ten, last year would have been about a four on skill level; this year made it up to a six or six-and-a-half. Every year, if we can keep raising the bar a little bit more, I'm sure we're going to get some good quality players into our camp and hope they make the team. Hopefully that happens maybe this year.

Q: How many did you sign in the end?

A: We ended up signing three guys. We have Andrew Scampoli, he's a forward, Pete's brother Ross (Rouleau), a defenseman, and then Matt Ezzy, the goaltender from Australia.

Q: It seems that most of the guys that I spoke to were very impressed with the caliber of the camp and were very satisfied with it. They felt that even if they didn't make it, it was a great experience. What's you're comment on that?

A: These guys put in a lot of trust in our organization by coming down here. I felt like I needed to give them the best camp possible. I don't think you get many camps where the coach is there running practices and the assistant coach and trainers treating them like professionals. They usually just show a puck on the ice and say go at it and if you make it you make it and if you don't, you don't. We like to do a little extra touch here where we have interviews after and help them out and try and get those guys who didn't make it to other teams. Maybe if it's not our league, then maybe the SPHL.

Q: Ron, what was your experience doing the camp for the first time?

A: For myself, it was a great experience seeing the guys trying to make it. You understand what they're going through. We've all been in their shoes before. The tough part is when you have to release them. They put in a ton of effort, the guys that made it through camp and gave 100% through every shift. It was a great experience. It was a little warm up for what we're getting ready for. We're looking to build the best team possible.

Q: Dan, will training camp begin on the 6th?

A: Officially. But the guys are reporting in here on the 1st. I'm not allowed to get on the ice until the 6th. Tyler Skworchinski came in today. We have Carragher and McConnell on their way. We've got Deitsch and Jaeger, Lance (Galbraith) is in town, Matt Hanson. You know, things are coming together...all the hard work of trying to recruit these guys and put all the pieces together. Our office staff works extremely hard all summer to make everything happen and now it's time to reap the benefits of everyone's hard work.

Reap the benefits they will. Dan Wildfong and the entire Texas Brahmas organization have done a fantastic job putting together a good mix of talent to make up this season's training camp roster. We've lost a couple of talented players to Europe in Anders Strome and Jordan Cameron. Kevin Korol is playing in China. A couple of key players like Blair Manning and Chris Thompson will not be returning. But many of last seasons best will be returning and they will be complimented by a group of talented, young, championship hungry players who will be sure to make this a year for Brahmas fans to remember.

Photo Credits: Robert Keith