Training camp jitters don’t just happen to rookies.

“I can sense some nerves the first day,” said Vees coach-GM Fred Harbinson of his veterans. “That shows they have a high desire to take another step. I’m pleased with the veterans taking a leadership role.”

The coaching staff noticed the gradual improvement in all the players’ performances.

“There’s more intensity and better decision making in the defensive zone,” said Harbinson following the third game on Tuesday afternoon.

Players had three more scrimmage games to make an impression with the coaching and scouting staff before the first set of cuts took place on Wednesday afternoon. Final cuts will take place on Sept. 5.

During camp players have been put on Team Black (orange jerseys) and White. During the games, prospects and returning Vees are doing their best to stand out from their teammates. There is only one player who doesn’t and that’s captain Denver Manderson.

Coming off season-ending shoulder surgery, the veteran dons a yellow sweater signaling he isn’t to be touched. Manderson said it’s just a precaution the organization is taking during camp. The 20-year-old said he’s feeling good as players slowly get their hockey legs back.

“Everyone is getting more comfortable,” said Manderson, who put in a lot of hard work to be ready for his final junior season.

The Fergus, Ont., native likes the crop of young players Harbinson and the organization has brought in. The skills possessed by the prospects remind him of the team they had two years ago that challenged the Camrose Kodiaks for the Doyle Cup.

“We will be deep like two years ago to win the league,” he added.

Early in camp, Manderson has been skating with Garrett Milan, who was the Vees’ rookie of the year last year and newcomer Beau Bennett. The kid from California “has a lot of skill” according to Manderson.

What excites Manderson about his final year is the chance to win another championship.

“It seems like yesterday I was 16,” he said. “It’s an exciting year. We should be very strong.”

His goals this season are simple — to be a good captain which he takes pride in and to put up numbers.

"The big thing is winning," said Manderson noting that winning helps further hockey careers, something he wants to do.

Because the Vees know what Manderson brings, it's unknown how many games he will play in Trail this weekend as the coaching brass wants to see what the young kids can do.

"It's good for their development and future," said Harbinson, who noted they did the same with Isaac MacLeod and Joseph Laleggia, who are expected to be pieces of their puzzle. While Laleggia is already committed to a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I scholarship with the University of New Hampshire in 2011/12, the team announced on Tuesday that MacLeod committed to the Boston College Eagles.

Among the players expected to make an impact is brute defenceman Luke Curadi. Standing six-foot-five, 250-pounds, the Vees coach said the 18-year-old rookie appears strong and shows good maturity. He also likes the fact that for a player his size, the former Hartford Junior Wolfpack has good agility. In 36 games with the Wolfpack in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League, Curadi scored seven goals and 19 points with 167 penalty minutes. As he prepares for his first junior A season, he makes one thing clear — he wants to win.

"I want to go all the way," said the redhead. "Losing is not one of my fortes. I hate losing."

One of the things Curadi wants to accomplish is developing an offensive side, but he doesn't want his defence to suffer.

"It starts in the defensive zone and making a good first pass," said Curadi, who moves well. "In the offensive zone, things will happen naturally."

During the early stages of camp, Curadi was lined up with Laleggia, who possesses offensive talents. Curadi said they key in working well with Laleggia who listed to be five-foot-nine is getting familiarized with each other's play.

Penticton Vees captain Denver Manderson doesn’t have to worry about being clocked during training camp thanks to his

yellow jersey, but he still had to avoid this potential Vee looking to strip him of the puck on Tuesday during training camp.