Over 65 of the MJHL’s top prospects took to the ice in Winnipeg at Seven Oaks Arena from July 26-29, where they participated in the leagues 2nd Annual Prospect Development Camp.
The camp included both on and off-ice sessions, which saw practice, skill development and full game scrimmages. Off the ice, players took in different seminars covering the mental and physical skills needed in order to compete at a high level in the MJHL.
Wolverines Head Coach and General Manager Taylor Harnett took part during day one and two, where he ran practices and the bench during game action.
“The simple fact that a scout from one of those leagues is here in attendance to watch and talk to them about the sacrifices they need to make, the challenges that they’re going to face and what they need to do to make that jump, is very beneficial for them and the goals they have,” Harnett said of the off ice presentations that were made over the weekend.
“A lot of these players, their goal is to play junior hockey this fall, and it gives them a better feeling going into camp knowing what they should do, knowing how to be prepared,” the Head Coach and General Manager said.
According to the MJHL’s Director of Operations Kevin Saurette, the camp has quickly become an excellent opportunity for the young prospects to take their development to the next level.
“The biggest thing for these guys is this camp is elite in the sense that it’s the top 16-17 year-old players in the province,” Saurette explained. “It gives them a good chance to see where they’re at right now in their development, versus other prospects on the teams they’re going to, and other prospects in Manitoba.”
Part of the off-ice sessions included presentations from former players and coaches who have gone through the process of making the jump to the Junior A level.
“They heard about what it takes to get to the next level, what they did as a player and what coaches are looking for. These are all things that they can take back and start thinking about more seriously,” Saurette concluded.
The seven Wolverines participants included Emmitt Farebrother, Logan Wotton, Brody Wilson, Colby Joseph, Cole Jordan, Cole Mentuck and Nathan Falloon.