Ward’s First Training Camp

The past few seasons he has run training camps in the AHL for the recently relocated Abbotsford Heat, but this season its youth vs semi-pro players.

While the youth athletes going to the training camps will need to know the basics like how to properly hold the stick (Go here if you don’t) and know how to skate, they don’t need to have any experience and there aren’t any qualifications required to join. The camp is more selective for the semi-pro athletes.

What to expect is one question that new Head Coach Troy Ward of the Vancouver Giants might be asked, but he has had time to ponder this over, but one thing he likes is teaching the youth.

That said, it’ll be an interesting camp with 56 rookies in the lineup, trying to advance to main camp following a two day session with Troy Ward, Matt Erhart and Yogi.

One player not attending as I am told by Giants General Manager Scott Bonner is that hotshot American defenceman Max Gildon won’t be attending.

It’s way, way too early to read too much into that.

At the young age of 15 Gildon comes from Plano (Texas) is considered one of the top players that was available in this past (May) WHL Bantam draft.

Vancouver ended up calling his name in the third round, with the 51st pick overall to the surprise of many, but regardless – he’s now a Giant.

Gildon isn’t eligible to be a full-time regular in the WHL this season and those selected can only play five (5) games as a call-up until their minor hockey season is completed at the season’s end, but he has a shot (er-spot) at making the roster in 2015-16 season.

The fact that he isn’t coming to camp doesn’t mean that he’ll never show up with Giants, much like him coming to camp wouldn’t necessarily mean that he was a lock.

The grandson of Minnesota North Stars legend Lou Nanne had his grandson Tyler Nanne show up for Giants camp last fall and seemed to be quite impressed.

He decided to commit to Ohio State University a short time after his time at camp and reports tell me that he is expected to play this season in the USHL, with the Sioux Falls Stampede.

There’s a school of thought amongst WHL folk that Gildon could in fact show up with the Giants in 2016-17, looking to be showcased for his NHL entry draft year.

And the thinking is that he might be good enough to make the jump to the NHL the next season, so he could be a one-and-done in Vancouver.

Should Vancouver secure the host spot for the 2016 Memorial Cup, this is something that might impress him in coming to the West Coast, something Troy would love to see happen.

I for one am looking forward to an interesting camp!! GO GIANTS GO!!!