Gorillas Hit The Ice
By: Lee K. Howard
Updated: October 8, 2007
Amarillo, TX – The Amarillo Gorillas of the Central Hockey League (CHL) today officially began preparing for the 2007-2008 season, as the opening day of training camp commenced at the Amarillo Civic Center. The Central Hockey League has adjusted the roster totals for this season, allowing teams to carry 19 players on their active rosters, up one from a season ago. Amarillo entered camp on Monday with 23 players vying for those 19 spots.
The Gorillas come into camp with 9 returning players from last year’s squad, 7 players with previous pro experience outside of Amarillo, and 7 rookies looking to make their mark in professional hockey. There are currently 3 veterans on the squad in Chris Lipsett, Trevor Read and Joey Bastien, all returnees from last season.
Head Coach Jim Wiley is anxious to see which players will rise to the challenge, saying “Obviously you are looking for a players skill level, but equally as important, if not more important is the character they have. You look for hockey intelligence, intensity, the enthusiasm, the work ethic.”
With only a week to prepare for their first exhibition game, coach Wiley is ready to dive right in with this group, noting “For all intents and purposes you want the players to get a feel for the ice, we’ll be going through some pretty standard types of drills, as well as some that incorporate some of our systems.”
The Gorillas come into camp with 9 returning players from last year’s squad, 7 players with previous pro experience outside of Amarillo, and 7 rookies looking to make their mark in professional hockey. There are currently 3 veterans on the squad in Chris Lipsett, Trevor Read and Joey Bastien, all returnees from last season.
Head Coach Jim Wiley is anxious to see which players will rise to the challenge, saying “Obviously you are looking for a players skill level, but equally as important, if not more important is the character they have. You look for hockey intelligence, intensity, the enthusiasm, the work ethic.”
With only a week to prepare for their first exhibition game, coach Wiley is ready to dive right in with this group, noting “For all intents and purposes you want the players to get a feel for the ice, we’ll be going through some pretty standard types of drills, as well as some that incorporate some of our systems.”
