Mike MacKay, left, and Cole Hasell take a breather during Houston Luckies open tryouts on Saturday at the Claude Parish Arena. The CIHL club is looking to win just one more game this year.
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Published: September 24, 2008 5:00 AMActually luck has little to do with it, its all about commitment. Though to be fair, if they were indeed just a little more ‘lucky’ they could have walked away with the CIHL championship last year.
“We were as close as you could get without winning it for sure,” said Shane Brienan the Luckies co-head coach, referring to last year’s series against the league champion Ice Demons from Kitimat. “It just came down to a bounce or two in the final.”
The tryouts were held this Saturday Sept. 20 at the Claude Parish Memorial arena, though it was more like a practice session for the established players than a true tryout. The team is pretty well set and there is not much time to get in actual practices before the season opener in Smithers next weekend.
“We’ve got a pretty strong core there. Our team’s going to look a lot the same as it did last year. I wouldn’t say that there are a whole lot of spots open. We’re maybe looking for one or two guys [to fill out our roster]. It will be tough to get a spot on that team right now,” said Brienan
“I’d like a few surprises, some of the new guys to stand out would be nice.” said Denis Szydlick, the other co-head coach of the team “It’s pretty much going to be the same group as last year with a few additions, hopefully.”
Management and coaches alike are confident that they will ice another strong team this year. “I think the team can actually only get better. I don’t see us falling off at all,” said Brienan
The Luckies will kick off the season in their newly restyled uniforms against the Steelheads on Saturday Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. at the Smithers Civic Centre.
“We’re rusty but we’ll be in shape soon,” said Noah Bell a Luckies player.
The Houston team is always ready to play when it comes to their cross valley arch rival Steelheads from Smithers, and this year it seems will be no different.
