In a break between drills at practice Monday, Kenora Midget AAA Thistles head coach Doug Novak warned his team not to slip into bad habits at practice. With less than two weeks until the start of the season, the coaching staff must instill the systems and work ethic required to be successful in the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League.
“We’ve got a good group of kids,” said Novak, ahead of Monday night’s practice. “We just got to make sure, our goal always as coaches, is to outwork your opponent.”
And with just five players returning from last year’s squad, there’s plenty of work to be done for the coaching staff. Despite making the playoffs last season, it can be difficult to build on last season’s successes with so many fresh faces in the line up. “It’s hard, because last year, we lost 14 guys,” said Novak. “The biggest thing is to just make sure that we’re ready as a team. And that’s what we’re going through here in the locker room and getting the team ready to go.”
The returning players include goaltender Brock Aiken, defenceman Connor Keith and three forwards -- Kevin O’Flaherty, Trey Palermo and Adam Withers
NHL veteran Mike Richards, a Kenora Midget AAA alumnus, hit the ice with the Thistles for Monday’s practice, helping the coaches run the team through drills. Novak said Richards planned to also stick around after practice for some one-on-one face-off training with third-year centre O’Flaherty.
O’Flaherty is excited for the season, and said he’s focused on playing the right way on the ice. With the way he seems to have bought into Novak’s system, he should be a leader-by-example for the new guys. “I like how it’s always go-go-go,” said O’Flaherty, “We’re always hit first, then go get the puck. It’s a high-energy game, and that’s what I really like about it.”
The Thistles practised again Tuesday night, and will hit the practice ice one last time Thursday before they head off to Beaujesour for the first in a home-and-home exhibition series against the Eastman Selects. Sunday’s game has a 1 p.m. start time at the Thistle Arena.
“That will be a good test for us. Eastman is always a strong team,” said Novak.
The Thistles open their season with back to back games Oct. 2-3 at home against the Yellowhead Chiefs. Puck drop for both games is 7 p.m..
marc.lagace@sunmedia.ca