Sockeyes Impressive Training Camp

Photo Credit Sportswave

For many April Fools is a day that is meant for fun but for the Richmond Sockeyes the past April 1st it was a day they want to forget having dropped game seven in the Championship series.

The season wasn’t without records being broken by various players but knowing they have to replace five overaged players who dedicated their season to winning coming up short. 

Recruiting new players for the most part is by word of mouth and given the Sockeyes coaching staff are all returning under the guidance of Head Coach Cullen Revel who has added Assistant GM to his title.

Overall for Cullen the season never ended the way he wanted but considering the Sockeyes had 45 wins in the regular season and at one point riding 36 consecutive wins adversity was part of the game they never faced.

Entering this season they have taken the lessons learned from last year and have set their sights on making the necessary changes that has everyone buying into the program.  

Sponsorship plays an integral part to any organization and this year the Sockeyes are pleased to welcome the Richmond Sentinel as a new sponsor reaching out to various and new user groups welcoming them to the team.

In keeping with the long tradition they will again have various theme nights welcoming user groups including the Special Olympics, Indigenous Nights as well as the Autism group to name only three.

The Sockeyes are and continue to be involved with the community with some players attending various community events over this past summer and for some players a new and unique experience.

One area that the Sockeyes continue to offer is providing open and honest transparency knowing that what they offer working with the new Western Canadian Development model along with the WHL  offers a way to compete at higher levels of the game.

Last season saw team Captain Matthew Steward retire but he isn’t leaving the club as he has a new role as Player Development Coordinator and Assistant GM which he eagerly accepted.

His new position will see him work closely with GM and Director Operations Will Kump as well as Head Coach and Assistant GM Cullen Revel on the players development both on and off the ice.

In addition he is an “extra hand” assisting with game film sitting down with individual players who might be struggling at parts of the game.

As Assistant GM he plays a part of the recruiting in addition to any off-season work required which helps the players having someone they feel comfortable going to if they are in a “slump” rather than directly to the coach. 

When asked if he was surprised he was offered this position he mentioned “I wasn’t surprised in one sense but also very excited with the offer” and just possibly coaching the spring team in the Fraser Valley Super League might have helped out.

The Sockeyes kick off their season with the first home game September 5th at 7 pm when they host the Grandview Steelers.