WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden)— The home opener for the second season of the CCHL2 Whitewater Kings is at the Astrolabe Arena on Saturday, Sept. 22 against the Arnprior Packers. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m., which is 30 minutes later than last year’s game time.
But, there’s plenty to do before that game happens.
Jamie McConnell, who was the team’s operations manager last year has taken on another role this year – that of Genera Manager, since Kevin Ready has moved onto the Pembroke Lumber Kings to help out with administration duties there.
“I was lucky to work with Kevin in getting my feet wet for the general manager’s position,” McConnell said. “We were blessed to have him with us the first season.”
There’s also a change in bench staff. While Daryl Faught is returning as head coach, the assistant coach this year is Gordie Goldberg, a former Muskrat Midget coach. He takes over from Pat Ryan and Eric Logan, who have both moved onto other coaching positions.
Goldberg has plenty of coaching experience, having coached Aces and midget teams.
Calvin Somerville will be on the ice to help out with practices and on game days in the stands, McConnell said.
McConnell noted the day and times for Kings at home have also changed. Home games will start at 7:30 p.m., which will allow farmers an opportunity to see the whole game, not come in part-way through because they were busy on the farm.
The bar upstairs will be open on game days, which will allow fans to watch the game, enjoy a drink and socialize, McConnell explained.
There will also be the occasional Sunday afternoon games, with the puck dropping at 1:30.
The schedule is 16 Saturdays and five Sundays.
While the Whitewater Kings didn’t make it into the playoffs in its inaugural season, they were pretty close, missing by just one point, McConnell said.
“We were 26 – 26 last year,” he said. “We had a good season for our first year.”
The Kings were third highest in the league for fan attendance “and we’ll build on that,” he said.
The team’s strength was scoring because “we had two good, top lines,” McConnell said. “Our defence will be better. Sometimes they faltered on defence.”
Prior to the home opener on Sept. 22, there will be five exhibition games. The first is in Athens, followed by home and home games with Renfrew and Arnprior. Friday, Aug. 31 the Kings face-off against the Renfrew Timberwolves and the next evening are in Arnprior facing-off against the Packers.
On Sunday, Sept. 2, with no ice at the Astrolabe, the Kings and Packers face-off at the Pembroke Memorial Centre. The following Saturday, Sept. 8, the Kings and Renfrew Timberwolves face-off, also at the PMC.
All games are 8 p.m. starts.
On September 15 and 16, the Whitewater Kings are in the Showcase at the Nick Smith Arena in Arnprior. Game one on Sept. 15 is against the Ottawa Junior Canadians, while game 2 sees the Kings take on the Alexandria Glens.
The Whitewater Kings are hosting tryouts on Aug. 16 and 17 at the Silver Dart Arena at Garrison Petawawa, McConnell said. Cost is $125 plus HST and all players must register online at whiteaterkings.net. Anyone born between 1998 and 2002 can try out for the team – 16 to 20 year-olds.
“The team will be made up of the top 20 best players,” McConnell said. “Whether a veteran or a rookie, the 20 best will make the team.”
He’s hopeful of building an elite team this year.
“We have the youngest team and a good nucleus of the team will return,” he said.
Tryouts are from 7 to 9 p.m. both nights and everyone is invited to come out and watch, McConnell encouraged.
While tryouts haven’t happened yet, McConnell explained that some of last year’s players will make it onto this year’s team.
However, there are a few players from last year who won’t be trying out for the Whitewater Kings. Four players have moved onto the Pembroke Lumber Kings, he said. Those players are Darien McTavish, Matias Derraugh, Jacob McIntyre and Peter White. Mike Harris has accepted a position at a university in the United States.
“It’s a big thing to move five players,” McConnell said.
The general manager said there are three ways the community can help the Whitewater Kings.
The first is by coming out and supporting the team, cheering them on.
The second is by volunteering, as there are several things to be done.
“The volunteers enjoyed what they did last year,” McConnell said. “The volunteers feel like they are a part of the team – and they are.”
The final way is by billeting a player, or players, he said.
“We need billets for the PLK (Pembroke Lumber Kings) and Whitewater Kings,” McConnell said. “We need a home for some of the boys.
“All you have to do is provide a bed and some good meals, the boys will do the rest,” he said.
To talk to McConnell about billeting a player or volunteering, call him, 613-717-2710.
