Cariboo Cougars head coach Trevor Sprague is determined to get the best out of his Major Midget hockey team, and sometimes that means using scare tactics right out of the gates.
"We have a tryout camp every August and every year we tell all the players what we expect from them. That either scares them away or they're ready to be players."
The commitment to be a Cariboo Cougar is considerable, Sprague told the Winston's Breakfast Group on Thursday morning at the Coast Inn of the North.
And that extends to players' families as well.
Because the Cougars play in what amounts to a provincewide league, parents pony up a pretty penny for each player who makes the team.
Prince George players are billed $4,500, which includes some equipment, most ice times, referee fees, bus and hotels. Players from other communities pay $10,000 per season.
What they get for that is a major commitment from coaches and staff.
"We run a major-junior calibre operation," said Sprague. "From the stand point of BC Hockey, the way we run our organization is what everyone strives for."
In the seven-year history of the major midget Cougars, the all-volunteer team staff has developed a first-class organization.
Players have access to a full-time physiotherapist, a full-time doctor and ice-time every day during the season.
"There's a reason Marc Habscheid [head coach of the Western Hockey League's Chilliwack Bruins] wants more of our players on his roster," said Sprague.
Sprague believes part of the reason has nothing to do with hockey. The goal of the organization is to produce well-rounded, accountable people as well as good hockey players.
School is as important as hockey to the players and coaches.
"All our players attend Prince George Secondary School. Two years ago they averaged 85 per cent and this past year they were [slightly above] 95 per cent," said Sprague.
If players miss class they will sit out a game.
Sprague believes all of this off-ice concentration helps to produce on-ice results.
"Confidence is everything," said Sprague.
Helping to turn young teenagers into young men is part of the process.
This has shown up on the ice as the Cougars have consistently finishing ahead of teams like the Valley West Hawks, Greater Vancouver Canadians, North Island Silvertips, Okanagan Rockets and everyone else in the province other than the Vancouver Giants. They also have a B.C. Major Midget Hockey League championship to their credit.
"We've also attended the Mac's Tournament the past five years. This is an invitation only tournament and we've had a winning record in four of those five years," he said.
As well as team success, a long list players have gone on to considerable personal success in the game.
The most recent is the Western Hockey League's Brett Connolly. The Prince George Cougars' Connolly was a member of this year's world junior team and was selected sixth overall by the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning is his draft year.
With success like this, and many others, Sprague sees continued prosperity for the Cariboo Cougars.
