A competitive main camp has the Topeka RoadRunners coaches, staff and players excited about the upcoming season.
Main camp, which took place July 6-9 in Chicago, Ill. brought newcomers and some fresh faces together to help compile this year’s roster.
“We were really impressed overall,” RoadRunners head coach Josh Kamrass said. “With the group coming back and the group coming in, I think we’ll be looking at a very different team this year. We want to play defensive hockey and we want to be committed to it.”
The camp was also an opportunity for newly signed RoadRunners assistant Justin DeMartino to interact with players for the first time.
“It’s never easy stepping in during the final camp before the season,” Kamrass said. “I think the players took to him right away, and it made for a really successful camp.”
Kamrass also said the camp is a chance to share with players the successes of the RoadRunners organization and how players will benefit from their time spent in the capital city.
Recently, former RoadRunners forward Cole Schneider signed a contract with the New York Rangers organization. Meanwhile, former forward Jake Kamrass attended a development camp with the Anaheim Ducks before his senior season with U-Mass Lowell.
These are the kinds of stories that resonate with incoming players.
“The North American Hockey League has really dedicated itself to the growth and development of players,” Josh said. “Players are not only given the opportunity to play at the next level after the NAHL, but they perform at a high level in college due to the skills they’ve obtained.”
The next step for the staff and players will include training camp next month, followed by at least several exhibition games. Topeka opens its home schedule September 15 against the Corpus Christi IceRays.