The Phoenix Coyotes will open up their 2011 training camp on Saturday when 34 rookies will report to Jobing.com Arena to take the ice and try to impress General Manager Don Maloney and his staff.
Four days of training will come to a conclusion Wednesday and Thursday in Los Angeles when the rookies will take on a squad of rookies from the Kings.
Some of the rookies who will be participating in this year’s camp include Ontario Hockey League goaltending standout Mark Visentin, 2011 Hobey Baker Award recipient Andy Miele, and defenseman Chris Summers.
Here are three questions heading into this year’s camp:
Could anyone in rookie camp make the big club?
With the big club roster about set, it doesn’t seem too likely that one of these rookies could make the roster, but a strong case made by a player in rookie camp could lead to some serious second thoughts.
The two most likely candidates appear to be defensemen Chris Summers and Maxim Goncharov. When injuries took a toll on the Coyotes’ defense last season, Summers stepped in and played a couple games.
Goncharov has not played any NHL games up to this point, but could be a candidate to make the jump and provide depth at that position.
Could any of the players in for a tryout earn a spot in the organization?
Ten players will be at rookie camp to try to impress Maloney and his staff and possibly secure a spot in camp with the veterans.
Of the 10, forward Brendan Shinnimin could be the most intriguing of all the tryout players. The native of Winnipeg recorded 34 goals and 62 points for 96 points in 60 games with Tri-City of the Western Hockey League last season. Forwards Alex Beauregard and Dannick Gauthier of the Memorial Cup-winning Saint John Sea Dogs will also be in camp on a tryout basis.
How will the Coyotes rookies stack up against the Kings’ rookies?
If anyone remembers least year’s games in the Valley, they will remember them as physical affairs, and this season will be no different. Not only is this two-game series a chance to try to impress your own general manager, but it’s also a preview of some players who you could be playing against for a while.
Some Kings rookies who Phoenix fans might remember from last season and are on this year’s roster include defenseman Jake Muzzin and forward Jordan Weal.
To see a full Kings roster, click here
The two-game series in LA will be streamed at lakings.com
To see a full Coyotes roster and schedule for this week’s rookie camp, click here
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