Oil Barons - Coach's Blog: July 2012

Monday, July 9, 2012

Back to Work

The Barons kicked off the start of the 2012/13 season with our 6th annual summer prospects camp July 6-8th at the River Cree complex in Edmonton.

38 rookie prospects went through 4 ice sessions, fitness tests and individual meetings in an effort to win a spot to main camp August 17th. The camp featured a nice mix of 18 kids from Northern Alberta and 16 kids from Southern Alberta as well as 4 American prospects. We wish to thanks all the players and parents for a very enjoyable weekend of hockey.

Lots of young talent at the camp and lots of size!! with 24 prospects over 6 feet tall. Main camp is 5 weeks away and we expect a very exciting battle for roster spots.

Many current and former Barons helped throughout the camp including former captain Adam Johnson, Goalie Jesse Kallechy as well as recently graduated players Markus Gerbrandt, Killian Hutt and Colton Parayko.

Did you know

Recently drafted dman Colton Parayko is heading to St. Louis July 8th-12th for a special orientation camp for the Blues drafted players.

Colton is still growing adding one inch and 14 pounds over this summer so far. He nows stands at 6'5 1/2 and 207lbs.

All the Best

Coach

HEAD COACH - Gord Thibodeau

A two-time AJHL Coach of the Year, Gord Thibodeau brings an abundance of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons Hockey Club.

He began coaching the Oil Barons in 2003-04 after previous coaching duties with AJHL clubs Lloydminster Blazers and St. Albert Saints. In his first three seasons as the Oil Barons bench boss, Thibodeau led the Oil Barons to the AJHL finals in each year, eventually capturing the AJHL's highest crown in 2005-06.

With 11 years experience, Coach Thibodeau brings with him great acclaim and numerous awards. He boasts pleasure from arriving at the rink each day and continues to have a tremendous love of the game.

Thibodeau has not only contributed to the sport of hockey as a coach, but also as a player. An AJHL hockey veteran, Thibodeau played for four years with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders, and also spent four years with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. With such strong passion for the game, coaching seems like a natural extension, but it also allows him to give something back to the sport. He commits himself to the game and to the team and expects no less from the players.

"I expect the players to make a commitment to improve and develop," says Thibodeau. "I want to see them grow and move forward, but our goal remains the same as every year; we want to be the best in the league."

Thibodeau is quick to recognize the importance of the invaluable contributions made by the community. Support received both corporately and from fans continues to contribute to the success of the Oil Barons Hockey Club.

"We take pride in providing a great product for our fans," says Thibodeau. "In my opinion, we are already one of the best teams in the league," and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons are eager to prove it. Speed, skill and tenacity are key attributes Coach Thibodeau demands to see from his players.