Back Once Again

Edmonton, AB - Day 1 of Oil Kings rookies camp brought on fitness testing for the 96 and 97-born prospects. 83 rookies registered and completed fitness testing today at Body By Bennett. Testing consisted of various activities including a med ball toss, vertical leap test, shuttle run, bike test and bench press.

"These tests are all specifically designed to give us a good idea of all around fitness. They include tests for power, strength, cardiovascular, everything." said Oil Kings Head Athletic Therapist Brian Cheeseman

Only about a quarter of the 83 rookies in camp this season attended Oil Kings Rookie Camp in 2011. None of the 97-born players will be eligible to play full time for the team this winter. For many, the organized fitness testing can be a valuable new experience unto itself regardless of their abilty.  

"When the rookies come in their first time it's not all about the results." said Cheeseman "It lets the kids at this age group who haven't expereinced this kind of testing really know what to expect at the next level."

"Most importantly it gives all of them an idea of what to work on and improve on in their individual fitness." said Cheeseman "You see an improvement every year with the returning guys because they know what to expect and have taken the feedback and put in the work."

"You can see the guys who have put in the work over the summer already." said Oil Kings Assistant GM Randy Hansch "It has definitely become a case where even the young guys are having to train hard all year to come to camp in shape. We are really looking forward to seeing what comes out of it tomorrow on the ice."

Oil Kings Rookie Camp continues Friday morning with the first on-ice sessions as the players practice with their assigned teams for the first time. The fun really starts tomorrow evening with the first games of the Rookie Camp Tournament. All fans are invited to take in the action this weekend at the Jubilee Rec Centre in Fort Saskatchewan. As a side note, Josh Hagel, a 96-born forward was the winner of 4 out of 5 tests to take home the Fittest Rookie Award.

Rookie Camp Schedule

Thursday, August 23rd - Closed to the public
Rookie Camp Registration / Fitness Testing  -  Body by Bennett (17627 - 111th Ave, Edmonton, AB)  
               
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM         Registration/Fitness Testing - White
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM         Registration/Fitness Testing - Blue
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM            Registration/Fitness Testing - Black
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM            Registration/Fitness Testing - Red
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM            Orientation
               
Friday, August 24th
All on ice sessions: Jubilee Rec Centre (10013 - 96th Ave, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB) - 780 992 6256        
Morning Sessions             

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM           Blue Practice
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM         White Practice
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM       Red Practice
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM       Black Practice
2:15 PM                          Veterans/Main Skate (TBD)
               
Evening Sessions               

5:00 PM - 5:15 PM            Goalie Session  Blue/White
5:15 PM - 7:00 PM            Game 1 Blue vs White
7:15 PM - 7:30 PM            Goalie Session  Red/Black
7:30 PM - 9:15 PM            Game 2 Red vs Black

Saturday, August 25th                    
Morning Sessions             

8:00 AM - 8:15 AM           Goalie Session Blue/Red
8:15 AM - 10:00 AM         Game 3 Blue vs Red
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM       Goalie Session White/Black
10:30 AM - 12:15 PM       Game 4 White vs Black
               
Evening Sessions               

5:00 PM - 5:15 PM            Goalie Session  Blue/Black
5:15 PM - 7:00 PM            Game 5 Blue vs Black
7:15 PM - 7:30 PM            Goalie Session  White/Red
7:30 PM - 9:15 PM            Game 6 White vs Red
               
Sunday, August 26th        
Morning Sessions             

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM         Game 7 (3rd vs 4th)
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM         Game 8 (1st vs 2nd)


Main Camp Schedule
                              
Monday, August 27th                     
All on ice sessions: Jubilee Rec Centre (10013 - 96th Ave, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB) - 780 992 6256                       
Morning Sessions                            

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM           Blue Practice      
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM         White Practice   
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM       Red Practice       
                              
Evening Sessions                              

5:15 PM - 6:15 PM            Game 1 - Blue vs White   
6:30 PM - 730 PM             Game 2 - Blue vs Red       
7:45 PM - 8:45 PM            Game 3 - White vs Red          
                              
Tuesday, August 28th                                    
Morning Sessions
                              
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM           Game 4 - Red vs Blue       
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM         Game 5 - Red vs White
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM       Game 6 - Blue vs White
               
Evening Sessions                              

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM            Game 7 - White vs Red    
7:15 PM - 8:15 PM            Game 8 - White vs Blue   
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM            Game 9 - Red vs Blue
                              
Wednesday, August 29th                                             
Morning Sessions                            

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM       Team White Practice      
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM       Team Red Practice        
                              
Evening Sessions                              
7:00 PM - 9:15 PM            Red-White Intrasquad Game