Locals hoping to impress at OHL camps

Two of North Bay's veteran CHL players are likely moving on while a few other North Bay area teens are hoping to impress at OHL training camps this week.

Matt Marquardt; fresh off a 41-goal campaign with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats, will likely play pro in the Columbus Blue Jackets system while St Michaels Majors forward Cassidy Preston will likely play with the tier II Buzzers in his overage season of junior hockey.

That leaves Brampton Battalion defenceman Ken Peroff as potentially the lone North Bay area player to suit up for a CHL team this fall. But Joel Senecal and Corey Raymond are hoping to join Senecal as regulars in the "O" this fall.

Senecal -- like Marquardt before him, was twice overlooked in the OHL draft. The '06-'07 Great North Midget League scoring champ with the North Bay Trappers has been invited to join Peroff at the Brampton Battalion training camp.

Senecal is up against more than 40 players at Battalion camp, including 17 veterans but the coaching staff will give him a very long look.

Apparently destined for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Senecal was acquired under a new CHL rule that requires all players wishing to play in a constituent league outside that of their province of residence to clear waivers first.

“He’s a big right winger and along with some of our other younger guys could push hard for a spot,” Butler said of Senecal on the Battalion website Wednesday.

Knighting Raymond

Former Widdifield Wildcat defenceman Corey Raymond is also looking to impress as he's been invited to attend the London Knights training camp.

A total of 65 players have been invited to the camp taking place at the John Labatt Centre in London. If Raymond doesn't make the cut in London he is likely to re-join the Temiscaming Royals and could be named the club's first ever captain.

The 19-year old split time last year between the Widdifield Wildcats and the GMHL's Nipissing Alouettes.

Photo of Joel Senecal