Three Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey players will be attending this year's tryout camp for the AHL's Manitoba Moose. The players, goaltender Grant McCune, defenseman Mike Jacobsen, and forward Jeff Richards will attend the camp to get a feel of what it's like to train and practice with the pros. The players are attending the camp as part of a cooperative agreement between Lakehead and Manitoba. It is the second year of the program and it will also be McCune's second trip to the camp.
This is also the second year that sees Lakehead staging an exhibition series between Manitoba and an AHL opponent as their final tryout games before their regular season. This year the Moose will take on the expansion Toronto Roadrunners in Thunder Bay on Oct. 3rd and 4th.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau said Lakehead's training agreement with Manitoba is a positive experience for his players. "We are very excited in having Jeff Richards, Mike Jacobsen and Grant McCune participate in the Moose's training camp in Winnipeg. We are hoping they will all get to play in one of upcoming exhibition games in Thunder Bay. We are also very excited that Thunder Bay is becoming the second home for the Moose each year as we stage this annual exhibition series."
Moose General Manager Craig Heisinger said that this cooperation between Manitoba and Lakehead is beneficial for both teams and also for the players. "This is a great opportunity for these players to gain experience at the professional level. Grant (McCune) is coming back to us for his second camp and he had a great camp last year that, I think, really helped his play last season. I think this program is great for Lakehead recruiting and also gives us an opportunity to see some exciting young talent."
The players will be at the camp beginning Sep. 28th in Winnipeg.