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TRYOUT CAMP IN FULL SWING
(from left) Alumnus Josh Kamrass joins returners Caleb Wolfgram, Tom Kleidon, Colin Smith and Jordan George for a light moment at the teams Somerset, WI tryout camp.
(SOMERSET, WI) - The Topeka RoadRunners are in the midst of their first open tryout camp of the summer. Veterans, tenders, and RoadRunner hopefuls are on the ice in Somerset, WI this weekend. On hand to evaluate talent are Head Coach Scott Langer, Scouts Tom Kelly and Steve Jennings, and Mike Aikens.
Veteran forward Ross Trousdale mugs for the camera between games at the RoadRunners tryout camp in Somerset, WI
Tryout games in camp are 2 x 30-minute halves, with goalies splitting time, each one getting a half game of play. Additionally, each half concludes with a 5-player shootout, just for purposes of goaltender evaluation. After 2 games for each team on Friday, the scoring leader was veteran Travis Stevens, with 3 goals and 2 assists. 4 players were tied with 4 points apiece, including returners Bryon Paulazzo and Steve Shafer along with Bryan Glynn and Jeff White. Goalie Lyle Rocker finally allowed his first goal EVER in camp, a scoreless streak of 166 minutes 47 seconds dating back to the last seasons camp. He also turned aside all 10 shootout chances he faced, the only goalie in camp to be perfect in that category. Through Fridays action, the top goaltender has been Nick Niceswanger (Quad City Jr Flames) who allowed just 1 goal in his two games, and posted a .971 save percentage.
Veteran players share the job of refereeing the 12 games during camp, a job goalie Lyle Rocker finds exciting and fun.
Saturdays games are underway, and through 10 of the 12 games, Travis Stevens is still the scoring leader, while Colin Smith and Jake Hutt have turned up the heat to get into the race for scoring leader. Newcomers Nick Guzman and Jeff White continue to impress, while Matt Hartmann, Ross Trousdale, and Martin Sundstedt each have at least 2 goals. Andrew Blazek, acquired from the dormant Texas Tornado as a free agent, has turned heads at camp as well, with a goal and three assists at press time.
Sunday will feature an All-Star game and players will return to their homes, some to work harder for another shot at next season, and others in preparation to report to Topeka in late August.
A recap of the All Star game and final camp stats will appear on Sunday here on topekaroadrunners.com.
