MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- The Moose Jaw Warriors will be in a bit of a different frame of mind when training camp for the 2024-25 season begins in just under two weeks time.
There had always been a sense of ‘maybe this year’ when it came to winning a Western Hockey League championship, with hopes and dreams of claiming a title always part of the proceedings.
Now, those dreams have been realized, and the Warriors are finally the ones being chased after winning their first WHL Championship in their 40-year franchise history last spring.
The Warriors will begin the defence of their title on Wednesday, Aug. 28 when players go through the annual crucible known as fitness testing. The event features a host of tests designed to give team staff an idea of where players are with regards to their strength and aerobic conditioning, with steady improvement from year-to-year always the goal.
On-ice sessions begin on Thursday, Aug. 29 at the Moose Jaw Events Centre, with rookie camp taking centre stage first. Players will take part in three practices from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the first scrimmage at 11:30 a.m.
Veterans of the 2023-24 WHL champions will return to the ice at 1:15 p.m. for the first main camp practice.
Rookie camp continues throughout the day Friday, Aug. 30 before the first scrimmage of main camp takes place at 6:30 p.m., leading into a full day of scrimmages on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Training camp will then wrap up on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 12 p.m. with the Black / White Intrasquad Game. Admission is by a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
All on-ice sessions throughout the week are open to the public, and you can check out the complete schedule below.
Wednesday, Aug, 28
12 p.m. -- Fitness testing
Thursday, Aug. 29
9 a.m. -- Rookie Camp Team 1 Practice
9:45 a.m. -- Rookie Camp Team 2 Practice
10:30 a.m. -- Rookie Camp Team 3 Pracice
11:30 a.m. -- Rooke Camp scrimmage 1 vs. 2
1:15 p.m. -- Main Camp practice
3 p.m. -- Rookie Camp scrimmage 1 vs. 3
4:45 p.m. -- Goalie session
6 p.m. -- Rookie Camp scrimmage 3 vs. 2
Friday, Aug. 30
9 a.m. -- Rookie Camp scrimmage 2 vs. 1
10:45 a.m. -- Goalie session
12 p.m. -- Rookie Camp scrimmage 2 vs. 3
2:30 p.m. -- Rookie Camp scrimmage 3 vs. 1
6:30 p.m. -- Main Camp scrimmage
Saturday, Aug. 31
9 a.m. -- Main camp scrimmage
12:30 p.m. -- Main Camp scrimmage
4 p.m. -- Main Camp scrimmage
Sunday, Sept 1
12 p.m. -- Black / White Intrasquad Game
