EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Thirty-two hockey players will report to head coach Emery Olauson on Friday October 9 for the fourth Edmundston Blizzard training camp.
The long wait caused by the constraints of COVID-19 is now over and players will have three weeks to prepare well before the start of the season announced by the Maritime Hockey League on Friday, October 30.
“I can feel a lot of excitement in the air,” said Blizzard President André Lebel. Hockey fans in the region can’t wait for junior A hockey to return. Because of the late start to the season, we decided to open the camp three weeks before. There was no point in having the players here until October 9, given all of the COVID-19 restrictions. Our players have been well rested with their loved ones and they will be ready when they get here tomorrow. ”
Of the 32 players present, 14 wore the Blizzard uniform last year: goalkeepers Antoine Lyonnais and Marc-Antoine Bérubé-Jalbert, defenseman Jérémie Thibodeau and forwards Isaac Chapman, Jonathan Desrosiers, Jérémy Duguay, Dylan Lang, Félix Laniel, Paul Leroux, Ben Lightbody, Mitch McLeod, Josh Nadeau, Félix Rioux and Tristan Sanchez.
During the offseason, the Blizzard acquired key players who will once again see the team aspire to top honors. We just have to think of Samuel Grégoire, Zachary Cadorette, Vincent Bujold, Kevin Desjardins, Dawson Breau and Brendan Sibley. In addition, drafted players from the region and elsewhere as well as invitees will try to surprise the coaching staff.
Public access to the training camp at the Jean-Daigle center will be prohibited. Journalists must notify the communications manager of their presence.
Exhibition games
The Blizzard preseason schedule will consist of 4 games: Friday, October 16 in Grand Falls (7:30 p.m.), Sunday, October 18 in Edmundston vs Grand Falls (3 p.m.), Friday, October 23 in Campbellton (7 p.m.) and Sunday, October 25 in Edmundston against Campbellton (3 p.m.).
The first games of the regular season will begin on October 30. The MHL has not yet announced the official schedule which will be published shortly on its website www.themhl.ca. Blizzard’s schedule will be announced as soon as it is known.
In accordance with New Brunswick Public Health guidelines, all spectators must wear a properly fitted mask above the nostrils and under the chin. The mask cannot be removed when people are in the amphitheater. The food service (canteen) will be closed. People will not be able to bring food or drink. Spectators will be allowed to go to the bathroom during the game.
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Photo
Here is the last photo of the Blizzard players of the 2019-2021 campaign gathering around their goalie after the March 6, 2020 game. COVID-19 came in the way, forcing the cancellation of the playoffs. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, Edmundston Blizzard vice-president communications; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone