by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Beachburg) — The final roster for the inaugural season of the Whitewater Kings could be finalized tonight, just in time for the weekend’s exhibition games in Junior B hockey.
About 35 hockey players from various areas spent the past week honing their hockey skills during training camp at the Beachburg Arena.
The first round of cuts was made following Wednesday’s camp and the final cut is expected to be made tonight, said team general manager Kevin Ready.
Two exhibition games against the Renfrew Timberwolves are planned for this weekend, both games beginning at 8 p.m. The first is Friday, Sept. 1 at the Ma-te-way Community Centre and the second is Sunday at the PACC in Pembroke.
Ready said no final numbers have been decided on, but it’s expected there will be approximately 20 Whitewater Kings. For the exhibition games, there could be as many as 25 on the roster.
“We hope to have a broad representation from the surrounding area on the team,” he said.
For the training camp, there were 18 forwards, eight defence and eight goalies. He did note no females were trying out for the team.
While there are 11 signed players, Ready noted they still have to make it onto the team. These 11 players were signed following an evaluation camp held in June in Arnprior, he explained.
The idea for the Junior B Whitewater Kings is they will be the stepping stone between the Under 18 hockey league and the Pembroke Lumber Kings. Dale McTavish has been operating the Under 18 hockey league and owns the Whitewater Kings and the Pembroke Lumber Kings.
This is the first time for the model to be used, Ready said.
Once a player is signed, or carded, he, or she, cannot play for another team.
“They are our property for the year unless we choose to trade them,” Ready stated.
Opening home game for the Whitewater Kings is Saturday, Sept. 16. All home games will be played on Saturday nights, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m., with the exception of five games, which will be played at 8 p.m. on a Thursday.
