After a week long training camp and five exhibition games, the Fernie Ghostriders’ roster for the 2012/2013 season has been set.
“We started with about 50 guys and we’re down to 24,” said Head Coach, Barry Wolff. “We’ve still got a few releases to go but we’re close. I’m happy with what we’ve got and now we just need to figure out the last few steps.”
A number of local players made the cut, and Wolff said he’s always happy to have local kids on the team. “I think it’s a huge honour because they watch the Ghostriders as they grow up, and hopefully every local kid here wants to be a Ghostrider when they grow up, and we want to make it so kids think that.”
The presence of Fernie athletes is strong, with Jacob MacLachlan, Dylan Mitchell, Jeff Rayman, and Brendan Bell proudly donning a Ghostriders jersey. Sparwood local, Dylan Robertson, will hit the ice with the team again, along with Jaffray local Joel Burgess. New to the Ghostriders this year, and representing Elko, is Austin Hirano.
Wolff commented that as much as he wants to give the local kids a shot, he also has to keep in mind what they can do on the ice. “It’s important obviously, but they have to be able to play. If you have a kid and he’s not ready to play and you keep him, you’re not doing him any good.”
With a few games already under their belts, the Ghostriders are now getting ready for this season’s home opener on Saturday, September 22.