BISMARCK, ND – Fifteen returning players from the Bismarck Bobcats’ 2010-11 Central Division championship roster will headline the Cats’ 2011 Main Camp—the first official event of the 2011 pre-season—running Friday through Sunday at the VFW Sports Center with free admission to the public.
“It’s exciting to see so many guys back,” noted Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, “especially guys that were big-time impact players from day one last year.”
Among the returners expected to play at Main Camp are second-through-fifth-leading regular season scorers Dan Zawacki, Nikolaj Rosenthal, Frank DeAugustine and Donald Olivieri—along with playoff heroes Tyler Richter, Tommy Burke and Danny Ray.
The 2010-11 defensive corps will be well-represented as, in addition to Olivieri and Ray, Rodney LaLonde, John Furgele, Charlie Aus and former Bismarck High Demon Grant Mindt will all be competing in games all weekend inside Rink Two at the VFW Sports Center.
Other returning forwards include Castan Sommer, Bryce Schmitt, Nick Miglio and former Century High standout Dan Kovar—who will be making the jump from defenseman to forward.
Main Camp will also give fans their first look at 2011 Draft Picks and Tenders, including top draft picks Bryce Anderson and Jordan Aamot of Grand Forks and Ryan Callahan of Grafton.
North Dakota-born players will make up over one fourth of the 80-man invite list at this year’s Main Camp with players from Bismarck, Mandan, Minot, Grafton, Dickinson and Grand Forks all vying for a spot on the 2011-12 roster.
Friday’s session will start at 5:00 PM while Saturday will feature sessions starting at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Following Saturday’s games the list of 80 invitees will be chopped in half for the final event of Main Camp: Sunday’s 9:00 AM All-Star Game.
“I’m sure many of the guys who haven’t been through this before are like I was last year: very nervous but very excited,” noted Rosenthal, who made his Main Camp debut in 2010 before becoming a scoring force in the Central Division last season. “There are so many guys who are competing for a handful of spots, so it’s going to be great hockey with all these talented players giving 120 percent to try and be a part of something special this season.”
After the games wrap up, Sedevie and the Bobcats’ front office will trim the list down to 25-30 players who will make the Training Camp roster.
Fans on twitter will be able to follow Main Camp results on Twitter with the Cats’ official account, @BismarckBobcats. Nick Miglio will also post a running Twitter diary for Main Camp on his twitter account, @lilmiggs47, starting Thursday.
Fans are encouraged to interact with both the Bobcats’ Twitter account and their Facebook page—located at http://www.facebook.com/bobcathockey/ —throughout the weekend as the team will be conducting various promotions, including ticket giveaways to preseason games vs. Minot and the September 23 home opener against the rival Aberdeen Wings, through their various social media platforms.
The full schedule for Main Camp can be viewed at BismarckBobcats.com, along with detour information fans will need in order to avoid the road construction on North Washington Street.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2011-12 season! Call the Bobcat Hockey office at (701) 222-3300 or email gobobcathockey@aol.com for more information on reserving your seats for next season!
Bobcat Hockey would like to once again thank all of its fans, staff and sponsors for a wonderful 2010-2011 season—you are part of the team!
BOBCAT HOCKEY
2011 CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS