It’s something Wolverines Head Coach and General Manager, Taylor Harnett has had in the works for quite some time. A team building day at Canadian Forces Base Shilo (CFB Shilo), which has been the site of military activity since 1910.
And with just one preseason game remaining before the Wolverines kick off their 20th anniversary season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, the timing of the visit couldn’t have been better.
Going through CFB Shilo’s obstacle course was first on the list during a full day of activities, one which Harnett says was a great learning experience.
“The opportunity to work hard as a team to push each other was an amazing experience. They were able to get a different perspective on a completely different type of team setting,” Harnett explained.
“The officers that worked with the players were able to help them understand what it is like to work hard to complete a difficult task and show them how great it felt to have success. They helped them understand that it was accomplished because the group worked together. It was exactly the type of message that we as coaches try to instill in these young men daily.”
From taking a run through the obstacle course to learning about Canadian history and checking out the different military vehicles, one of the newest members of the Wolverines, Nick Doyle said it was an outstanding trip for the team.
“After a hard training camp, it was good to get out of the rink and get to know everyone a little better,” Doyle said. “To hear some of the stories that they go through and see the training they do, it makes you think we have it pretty easy compared to what they do.
The Wolverines wrap up their exhibition schedule on Friday night in Dauphin against the Kings at 7:30, before preparations begin for the clubs 20th anniversary season which gets underway on Friday, September 21st against the defending league champion Steinbach Pistons.
