A total of 50 skaters and goaltenders reported Thursday to the first day of the North Bay Battalion’s training camp.
That number was made up of 29 forwards, 16 defencemen and five goaltenders vying for a roster spot for the 2024-25 Ontario Hockey League season.
Camp attendees underwent medicals and fitness testing before 49 took to the ice for Team Green and Team White practices. Forward Cameron Lockhart, a 15th-round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the North Bay Trappers U18s, stayed off the ice because of injury.
Fifteen veterans from last season were among those present, including forward Dylan Richter, who started and finished the campaign with the Battalion, sandwiching time with the junior B Strathroy Rockets.
Others in attendance included 12 picks from each of the 2024 and 2023 Priority Selections, two from the 2022 process, three from the 2024 Under-18 Priority Selection, two from the 2023 U18 Priority Selection and one import newcomer in forward Natan Teshome of Finland. Three free agents also took part including defenceman Jackson Culin from North Bay, and Voodoos forward Caden Dubreuil from Lively.
Other locals competing at camp include draft picks Ayden Beharie, Sam Rivet, Nate Gravelle, Caleb Dawson and Jesse Lefebvre.
Three overagers numbered forwards Andrew LeBlanc and Owen Van Steensel and defenceman Jacob LeBlanc. Dalyn Wakely was to arrive Friday, while fellow overage forward Brice Cooke declined an invitation to camp.
Defenceman Declan Gallivan, who played for the NOJHL's Soo Thunderbirds last year and forward North Bay area Ryan Daze, who has signed with Komoka of the GOJHL, weren’t present, because of illness and injury respectively.
Team White prevailed 4-3 in overtime over Team Green in the 10 a.m. Friday morning contest.
Another scrimmage will take place at 5 p.m. Friday.
On Saturday, scrimmages will take place again at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday morning will be the final game of camp. That game will take place at 9 a.m. and will be followed by exit interviews to conclude that portion of training camp.
Admission to Memorial Gardens for the games is free.
