The Cariboo Cougars got a glimpse into their future on the weekend.
And, according to general manager and co-head coach Trevor Sprague, the future is bright as the Prince George-based team tries to maintain its position atop the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League.
About 100 prospects from northern B.C. (from Williams Lake north) participated in the Cougars three-day spring identification camp at the Elksentre.
The camp included a pair of defencemen - Zach Minaker from Kitimat and Jonas Harkins from North Vancouver - who were drafted last week by the Prince George Cougars in the WHL's bantam draft.
At five-foot-11 and 186-pounds, Minaker played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy's bantam prep team, while Harkins is a six-foot-two and 190 pound product of the North Shore Winter Club.
They were joined by two more defencemen, Chris Jandric (the younger brother of Cariboo Cougars forward Steven) and Jeremy Gervais who patrolled the blue line last season for the Coast Inn of the North Tier 1 midget Cougars.
Returning players who took to the ice included forwards Colton Thomas, Riley Coish, Brendan Moore; defencemen Jesse Pomeroy and Joel Patsey and goaltender Griffen Outhouse.
"Harkins and Minaker have done a good job and even guys like Gervais and Jandric showed pretty well and stepped in," said Sprague. "We need to make sure we have the pedigree we want. I'm impressed with the 100-plus guys and it shows how strong hockey is in the north and shows well the Cougars, Cariboo Cougars and the Spruce Kings."
Harkins and Minaker will suit up for the Cariboo Cougars next season.
Sprague was also impressed with 17-year-old forward James Gordon who lined up for the Coast Inn of the North Tier 1 midget Cougars last season and Adam Bowie, a 16-year-old forward from Fort St. John.
"James has been consistent every shift and Adam has an offensive upside to him," said Sprague. "They've showed us who they are and come August they'll be ready, and just more stronger playing with the speed of the game. It's a lot faster hockey than they're use to, especially for the tier 3 and tier 4 guys. This gives them a gauge for the next two months."
Ty Kolle, a 15-year-old forward from Quesnel who was the Portland Winterhawks first selection in the fourth round of the WHL bantam draft will also suit up for Cariboo Cougars next season.
Kolle spent last season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy.
"He's put on a good show (this weekend) and has the northern style of play in his game," said Sprague. "He plays hard, is physical and has an honest 200-foot game. He's a Brad Marchand-type of player."
Sprague also likes Hunter Floris, a 15-year-old forward from Vanderhoof who Sprague described as "a smart player who has shown good poise around the net."
Cariboo Cougars forward Justin Almeida and goaltender Dorrin Luding did not attend the camp because of exams. They were among 20 athletes who didn't participate.
All the players who attended the spring camp on the weekend will be back at the Cougars main fall camp from Aug. 8 to 10.
The roster will be cut to 50 players after that and the final lineup will be set on Sept. 15.
