The Battlefords AAA Sharks went paintballing over the weekend, as a fun group exercise ahead of the upcoming season. (Twitter/B’fords AAA Sharks)

By Martin Martinson

Hockey Team Camaraderie

AAA Sharks enjoy team building weekend

Oct 5, 2020 | 2:39 PM

With hockey season just around the corner, the Battlefords AAA Sharks took part in a team building day out this weekend, paintballing at Blue Mountain Adventure Park.

Head coach of the team, Ricci Girolami, said it’s been great to see the team coming together and building that chemistry – not only on the ice, but away from the rink as well – ahead of the new season.

“[Events like yesterday’s] are very important,” he said. “It helps get the kids to all be comfortable with each other and allows everyone to get to know one another; team building is always a good thing.”

Girolami said while there still hasn’t been anything confirmed as far as start dates for the AAA season, the team remains positive an announcement will come soon, that will allow them to go ahead with the campaign this fall.

“Everything’s still up in the air, [but] we’re hoping November we’re going to have a start date,” Girolami said. “Once the Sask. Health Authority gives the go-ahead we’ll be ready and good to go.”

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The ongoing pandemic has made for a unique off-season for the Sharks.

In addition to the uncertainty surrounding the start of the season, there was also a lot less opportunity to gather for on-ice camps and other training activities over the summer months.

However, rather than using the circumstances as an excuse, the Sharks have recruited players and finalized their roster ahead of the season, even without hosting their usual fall camp.

While it’s still early, the team has been practicing to get ready for the year and looks to be a good mix of both returning veterans and promising youth. It is a mix that should prove to be competitive this year, right from the get-go.

Girolami is entering his first season behind the bench for the Sharks, but the experienced coach said he’s liked what he’s seen from the team through the early going: both in their play on the ice, and their overall camaraderie as a group, as evidenced this weekend.

He said all that’s left now is to get the official go-ahead on the season and the team will be through the roof.

“It would be great to get that confirmation,” Girolami said. “I think the girls would be excited if they knew that they were [for certain] having a season, and everybody would be. It would be good for the psyche of the girls just to have the opportunity to get out and play some sports again.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1