Following an 11-win season, Spokane Braves head coach Michael Bay has been working to not only pick the right players for his roster, but building the confidence of the returning players. In their Quick Shift team preview, Bay said there’s so much potential to unlock with them. The confidence is already growing as they have been practicing for a week.
KIJHL: What should fans be excited about when it comes to this team?
MB: We are young and have depth. I’m super excited from an awesome camp that had 77 players and I haven’t had the luxury of having this much depth before. We’re going to outwork people and play hard, with the expectation of making the playoffs. The three things I expect are: be a better hockey player, a better person and leave it a better place for the next group and make the playoffs.
KIJHL: What are some of the things that stood out to you with how training camp went?
MB: Just player level. Not one guy was out of place. It was fun to watch those guys play.
KIJHL: What areas are you looking to improve from last season?
MB: Defensively, for sure. We want the goalie to stop the first shot and not have to worry about making five, six or seven more saves. We have two solid guys, and a well skating defence core I’m excited about. It’s just getting our systems in place. We were looking for players who play strong defensively.
KIJHL: Are there any players that you are expecting to have big seasons?
MB: Ben Humphreys. I have expectations for him as he had a great Chiefs camp, which was awesome. A huge thing for me is to have him confident, believing in himself and his ability and realize how good he is. That can be said about all of them – I expect more because I know how good they are.
Cameron Oien was one of the better players last year. He should be in the top-10 scoring in our league. He’s gonna be our captain and has been awesome. I’ve leaned on him and Mason Lochten so much since the beginning. We’ve added a 20-year-old in Owen Ames and he’s gonna be a huge part of this, too.
Lochten is a 200-foot player, who plays in every situation and brings leadership. He always works hard and has immense character. He is going to teach these guys how to do things the right way.
Colton Tidd is a great skater with a great first pass and is a quiet leader.
Matt Chambers is going to be a good leader.
Lance Buell played some forward along with being one of our defenceman. He and Tidd skated with the Chiefs until their WHL season ended.
Lance Insko is a power-forward with a good shot and is a great skater.
KIJHL: Are there first-year players who are ready to make a smooth transition for an immediate impact?
Jason Greenwell (Braves assistant coach/goalie coach): Both goalies Bronson Pankey and Zane Hill.
They are both athletic netminders that compete every day. Their athleticism, skill, and compete level will propel them to do great things in this league. We will look to take them to the next level and they will be instrumental in our team’s success this season.
Hill (2006 -CDA Hockey Academy/ 4.87 GAA- .885 save rate) He faced a lot of rubber each game. He showed up every day and is ready to compete and give his team an opportunity to win. Zane impressed us at camp with his side-to-side movement, and his fight to make second and third saves.
Bronson (2007- Colorado Thunderbirds/ 1.90 GAA- .919 save rate – Braves third goalie) I have worked with Bronson prior to this season on- and off-the-ice and believe his overall skill and compete level will continue to propel his career. His vision is high level and his patience is not something you see everyday at his age.
KIJHL: When it comes to your leadership group, what are the important characteristics that you want each player to possess?
MB: I want them to be an extension of us. I want them to be selfless. You have to teach them how to be a leader. Through hockey you are trying to make great men and you want them to be an extension of what you’re trying to do. Each guy owns 1/23rd of the team.
