General Manager Jason Norman says things are looking good for the team in the upcoming season. In terms of fundraising, their funds are higher than this time last year, and sponsorship from the community is strong.
Now the team is getting ready for their training camp, taking place Sept. 18, 24 and 25 at the Queens Memorial Arena. All camps start at 2 p.m.
Norman says 16 of last year’s players are coming back, but they’ve been putting a push on to get more players.
“My goal as general manager this summer was to find players to attend camp,” says Norman.
Norman says Liverpool’s location can prove challenging for recruitment. The Wild are based in one of the few communities that do not have a university or college nearby that draws players.
However the team has offered incentives for those interested in playing. There are no fees to join the team, and the executive is working to at least partially pay for travel expenses.
“In the past couple of weeks we’ve had a lot of people calling with inquiries. That’s a good sign,” says Wild coach Nick Whynot
The team has been getting a lot of interest from outside the province as well, as far away as Saskatchewan. Whynot says players going to school in the province are looking for hockey teams to play for, and the Wild is bringing them out.
“The team is strong, we have a new look, and we have some promising prospects coming out as well as returning players,” Norman.
The season is approaching fast, with the first tournament taking place on the weekend of Sept. 30 in Barrington. Their first league game, also the first home game, is on Oct. 7 against the Barrington Ice Dogs.
The team is also getting ready for the move into Queens Place, which will be sometime in mid season. While nothing is definite yet, there are plans in the works for the opening of the arena. Norman adds they hope the anticipation of the arena will draw a few extra players, as well as entice fans to come out to the games.
Volunteers are still needed to work through the season. The team is looking for another assistant coach to work with them, and is looking for a few more executive members. They could also use a hand selling tickets on raffles and draws, or man the canteen at the arena.
However both Norman and Whynot are looking forward to the upcoming season, and the team staying on their feet.
“As of right now, we’re in better shape now then we were last year,” says Whynot.
