Welcome to the insiders look at what is going on inside of Buccaneer Arena and the Des Moines Buccaneers!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Tryout Camp 2010

The Buccaneers will hold their 2010 tryout camp starting on Thursday, June 17th at Buccaneer Arena. Approximately 100 players will take part in the camp, which begins on Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday teams will play morning and afternoon games - with camp concluding in a top prospect game on Sunday morning.

Most prominent among the camp participants are returning players T.J. Tynan, Luke Sandler, Blake Doerring, Mitch Cain, Colton Saucerman, Cal Decowski, Garrett Orhn, Connor Frick, Taylor Wolfe and Charles Williams. The Buccaneers will also be bring their affiliate players to camp including Justin Selman, Max Gardiner, Kevin Irwin, Joe Faust, Kyle Sucher and Zane Popilock.

This weekend will also present Bucs fans with their first chance to watch Peter Stoykewych and Brendan O'Donnell, the team's first and second round picks in the recent United States Hockey League Entry Draft, as well as Miles Koules and Ray Pigozzi, the Riders top two picks in the USHL Futures Draft. Also in attendance from the USHL Drafts will be Nicholas Kulmanovsky, Patrick Kirtland, Andrew Miller, Daniel Milan, Christian Frey, Connor Kucera, Gavin Tufte, John Olen, Joagn Nelson, Luke Veitch, David Jacobson, Willie Faust, Ian Spencer, Connor Wood, Eric Sade and Liam McDermott.

Details on teams and rosters will be available online prior to the start camp. Teams will get the opportunity to practice with the Buccaneers coaching staff Thursday evening. Games will be played Friday morning and Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday evening. The All-Star game is scheduled for Sunday morning - with the roster being available at the arena prior to the game.

This year, fans can again have the chance to enter a Pick-the-Best contest on Saturday. Ballots listing all of the players participating will be available in the Pirate's Cove, Blackbeard's Lounge and the front office for fans, who will then be able to choose who they feel are the best players in the game. The fan who picks the most players who make the Buccaneers' post-camp roster will win - with the prize being announced during camp. In the event of a tie for the most correct choices, the winner will be drawn randomly from among the tied ballots.

Buccaneer merchandise will be available for sale during the weekend, with a schedule for times being posted early next week.

All tryout camp sessions are free and open to the public. The Des Moines Buccaneers Booster Club will be on hand at the ice arena throughout camp and Blackbeard's Lounge will be open during camp as well.

2010 - 2011 Des Moines Buccaneers Tryout Camp Schedule

Thursday, June 17th
6 p.m.
Practices begin

Friday, June 18th
9 a.m.
Morning games begin
4 p.m.
Afternoon games begin

Saturday, June 19th
9 a.m.
Morning games begin
4 p.m.
Afternoon games begin

Sunday, June 20th
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
All-Star Game