Approximately 70 players reported to Johnstown Thursday afternoon for the start of the Johnstown Tomahawks Main Camp in hopes of earning a spot on the 2015-16 Tomahawks roster.
Following practice sessions Thursday night, the players – divided into four teams – will play a series of three scrimmages between Friday and Saturday. The top performers will be selected to take part in the fourth annual Red & Blue Game, a free and open-to-the-public game to be played at Planet Ice in Richland Township at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The players in camp include a mix of returning veterans, tendered prospects, draft picks and free agents.
Tomahawks captain Logan Hudson knows better than most exactly how important the next few days are for the players. In 2013, Hudson was a late cut at Main Camp, but eventually worked his way onto the team later in the year. After becoming a stalwart on the Tomahawks defense last year, Hudson was named captain earlier this summer.
“For me, camp is a reminder of where it all started,” Hudson said. “It makes me want to push the other guys to be there best. I know what it takes because I’ve done it, and as the captain of these team, it’s my responsibility to push myself to the limit, learn everything I can, and handle myself the right way in every situation. I want the other guys to see that, so they can follow.”
Those for whom Hudson is setting such high standard includes tendered forward Tiernan Seningen, a product of the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers program. Senignen, who played with Hudson at the Tomahawks’ try-out camp in Chicago earlier this summer, said he has already learned much from his new captain.
“He showed me what it takes to make this team: hard work,” Senigen said. “I’m a tender, so I feel like I have something to prove. I know there is a lot more size and speed at this level, but I feel like I’m up for it.”
Defenseman Tyler Hudak, a Johnstown native, is among the free agents looking to impress coaches this weekend. Hudak earned a long look from coaches last year, but did not make the Tomahawks roster.
“I know what I have to do now,” Hudak said. “Last year was a big learning experience for me, so it will mean so much more for me to make it this year.”
Updates on this year’s Main Camp scrimmages will be posted throughout the weekend under the “Press Box” menu at JohnstownTomahawks.com.
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