The Prince George Spruce Kings face off Friday as they launch their main training camp at the Coliseum.
It's all in preparation for the B.C. Hockey League's 2014-15 season. Forty players have been invited to the camp, where they'll battle for spots on the Kings roster. That number was whittled down from 110 players when Prince George held its spring camp in April.
The Spruce Kings will have a mostly veteran lineup with 12 returning players when the season opens next month, as they only lost five guys to junior hockey graduation.
General manager Mike Hawes had a busy summer filling those holes on the roster and added some size when he acquired five players who stand at least six feet tall and range from 185 pounds to 210 pounds.
This weekend's training camp is free for the public and all fans are encouraged to attend the sessions. The first intra-squad game between Team White and Team Blue is Friday at 7 p.m.
The schedule is as follows.
Friday, Aug. 29
10 - 11 a.m. Camp registration in the Coliseum lobby
Session 1
noon - 1:15 p.m. Team Blue practice
1:30 - 2:45 p.m. Team White practice
Session 2
7 - 10 p.m. Intra-squad Game 1 Team White vs. Team Blue
Saturday, Aug. 30
Session 3
10 - 11 a.m. Team White practice
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Team Blue practice
Session 4
1 - 2 p.m. Team White fitness testing
2 - 3 p.m. Team Blue fitness testing
(Fitness testing will take place at The Factory Hockey Training, 1839 1st Ave.)
Session 5
7 - 10 p.m. Intra-squad Game 2 Team Blue vs. Team White
Sunday, Aug. 31
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Intra-squad Game 3 Team Blue vs. Team White
After training camp, the Kings will battle the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in Salmon Arm on Sept. 2 and in 100 Mile House on Sept. 9.
A two-game series against the Vernon Vipers follows on Sept. 12 in Vernon prior to a return to the Coliseum Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
