Storm Gear up for Camps in Las Vegas Next Week

Next week in Las Vegas, Nev., that will take place for General Manager/Head Coach Josh Hauge and the Tri-City Storm hockey operations staff, as they will have to form a training camp roster of 25 players by July 1.

"The big thing we have to find is a healthy mix of players who can make a team this upcoming season," said Hauge, who is about to oversee his first camp in Las Vegas beginning Monday, June 11. "We need some guys that possess skill, guys that are physical, and some guys that can do a bit of both to balance out the roster."

Over 170 hockey players, comprised of Storm veterans, draft picks and USHL free agents will travel to Las Vegas for Tri-City's weeklong open and main camp. All are hoping to be invited to the training camp in September.

The task is something that is harder if you are an undrafted USHL free agent, who is trying to steal a roster spot from a drafted prospect and/or veteran player in Tri-City.

"It's difficult for anyone to make the team, and a free-agent has to make a name for himself right away at these camps," said Hauge of the task of free agent tryout.

"It doesn't matter if you are a veteran or free agent, we have to take the best 25 players into training camp."

Since the 2009-10 season, Tri-City has had three notable free agent players - C Brett Mohler (Bowling Green State University), D Simon Denis (Ferris State University) and D Dalton Spicer (Tri-City Storm) - make the Storm roster out of camps held in Las Vegas.

Most free agents that appear at the Storm's open and main camp are players listed on the team's USHL futures and entry draft boards in May.

Some of the free agent players at camp could end up competing for roster spots at three-to-four other USHL camps, which becomes seemingly tiresome for players who travel hundreds and thousands of miles in a three-week span.

"It certainly takes a toll on players trying out for several teams who are free agents because of the travel. But, it's good to see players who have to do this because they will have a lot of travel in the USHL during the season." Hauge added.

In some cases, the travel and hardship can pay off for several free agent players trying to get their names recognizable to the entire USHL and hockey operations staffs.

In addition to making a roster spot with a USHL club, free agents try to impress college scouts around the country, who also travel to the various camps trying to find a prospect that they would like to recruit before the regular season.

While it is not easy stealing a spot on any USHL roster, there is more at stake for a free agent attending camps in Las Vegas, as they never know who is watching them.

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United States Hockey League Stories from June 6, 2012

• Tryout Camp Next Week - Sioux City Musketeers
• Storm Gear up for Camps in Las Vegas Next Week - Tri-City Storm
• Evan Moore Commits to Robert Morris University - Sioux Falls Stampede

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