Over 100 players hit the ice at Mosaic Place over the weekend with one goal in mind, earning a spot on the Moose Jaw AAA Generals.

The camp featured scrimmages throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday with each player getting three chances to impress the coaching staff.

Trevor Weisgerber -- who took over the head coaching reigns of the Generals last month -- liked what he saw.

"With that many kids, it's tough trying to get through everyone, but we had lots of guys there watching and we had good discussions throughout the weekend and it ended up going pretty well," said Weisgerber.

"There was a good mix there. It's tough when you get to see these kids for the first time and they only get three games, so if they're having an off day or weekend, it's not always the best for them, but for the most part, we liked what we saw."

The Generals had 10 returning players take part in the camp and with a new coaching staff in place heading into next season, they needed to impress to keep their spots secure.

Weisgerber said some of the veterans came ready to play, but some didn't.

"We made it pretty clear that we hadn't seen them play and they needed to come out, work hard and make a team, and I'm not sure if some thought they had a spot on the team already, but for some of them, we ended up not taking them back," said Weisgerber.

Weisgerber and his management team committed to eight forwards, five defencemen and a goalie coming out of the camp. The other spots will be up for grabs when the team returns to the ice in August for training camp.

Generals forward Steven Kesslering fights for a loose puck down the wing during a scrimmage on Saturday at Moose Jaw Generals Spring Camp. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Returnees Excited About New Coach

The Generals started a new era over the weekend after 17 seasons with Ray Wareham as head coach.

Third-year forward Steven Kesslering said he's excited about what’s in front of the team heading into next season.

"It's totally different here this year, so it will be nice to see how it turns out," he said. "There's a lot of new faces and a lot of new people to meet."

16-year-old goalie Jaxson Taupert said he knew Weisgerber before the change and is excited about what he can bring to the table.

"I've known him for a few years now, I've worked with him in the summers and he's really a nice guy, so I'm excited," he said.

"The camp had a lot of talented players out there so it looks like there’s a bright future ahead for this team and I'm excited to a part of it."

Kesslering is the highest scoring returning player for the Generals after posting 19 goals and 27 points in 44 games during the 2018-19 season.

He said he's excited to take on a larger role with the team heading into next season, "It will be good to get more ice time, more responsibility and to help the team out more," said Kesslering.

Moose Jaw's Kirk Mullen controls the puck while fighting off a defender during a scrimmage at Moose Jaw Generals Spring Camp on Sunday. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Warriors Well Represented at Camp

The Moose Jaw Warriors had five prospects hit the ice with the Generals during their spring camp.

Moose Jaw products Kirk Mullen and Atley Calvert, Regina's Sam Boldt and Davis Fry, and Estevan's Max Wanner all have their sights set on cracking the Generals this season.

Mullen, a sixth-round pick by the Warriors in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, said he feels like his game is ready to make the jump to midget AAA.

"It's the next step in my game and the next step in my hockey career," he said. "It's going to be a huge compared to last year and I'm excited to try to keep up with everyone."

Mullen posted 21 goals and 43 points in 32 games, leading the Prairie Hockey Academy's Elite 15 Cougars in scoring.

Calvert was just behind him in scoring with a team-high 24 goals and 41 points in 35 games.

He said his past two seasons with PHA has really helped him push his game to another level, "It helped me a lot, working with Scott [King] every day and the other coaches, it was good," said Calvert, who was listed by the Warriors this season.

"My feet have gotten a lot faster and I’ve gotten use at playing at a higher pace."

Defenceman Max Wanner makes a move in tight on a rush to the net during Moose Jaw Generals Spring Camp at Mosaic Place on Sunday. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Wanner, who was listed by the Warriors last year, is also coming off two seasons at PHA. The 16-year-old defenceman posted six goals and 14 points in 35 games last season.

He said he's excited about the possibility of moving up to Midget AAA next season, "I've gotten much bigger, faster and stronger, I'm overall a much better player," said Wanner.

Fry, who was listed by the Warriors this past season, led the Regina Vics midget AA team in scoring this past season, posting 20 goals and 52 points in 36 games while adding six goals and 14 points in 13 playoff games.

Fry tried out for both the Regina Pat Canadians and the Generals last season. He said that feels that he’s made some good strides to challenge for a spot.

"I've improved my skating and my hockey sense, in practice, I always work on having a better stride and finding the open guys in drills," he said.

Fry added that getting to play close to the Warriors would be a big benefit as well, "It might give me a better opportunity to get up the WHL after midget and show them that I can be consistent and work hard every game," he said.

Boldt, who was a sixth-round pick by the Warriors in 2018, was a teammate of Fry on the Vics. He posted five goals and 18 points in 26 games.