Hopefuls to battle for IceDiggers roster spots

The Alpena IceDiggers 25-man roster will be set following a pair of tryout camps at Northern Lights Arena this week.

The IceDigger coaching staff is conducting the three-day camp from Wednesday, July 27 to Friday, July 29. Some 80 players will be spilt into four teams for game action on Wednesday and Thursday. The 80 players will then be narrowed to 45 players for an all-star game that runs from 2:00 to 5:00.

IceDiggers head coach and general manager Ken Miller says, "(Assistant coach) Kelly (Miller) and I are looking for the top 25 players at the camp to fill out our roster for the '05-06 season."

THE TOP 45 PLAYERS from the OPEN camp move on to an invitation only camp which runs from July 31 through August 2. From there the hopefuls will battle with IceDigger veterans for a spot on the final 25 man roster.

A number of local players will be taking part in the camp including former Alpena Wildcats CJ MacKenzie, Kevin Lundquist, Brian Bennett and Ryan Ballard. Also attending the camp are current Alpena High players Jeff Olson and Brandon McConnell.

Miller thinks it would be great if some former Wildcats could join Erik Peterson who was tendered by the IceDiggers this past May.

"We feel that if the local players come in work hard and showcase their talents they should have a chance of making the club," Ken Miller said.

Fans are encouraged to attend all the sessions as admission is free.

ALPENA ICEDIGGERS OPEN CAMP SCHEDULE

Wednesday July 27, 2005
6:00pm - 7:20pm, Team White VS. Team Blue
7:30pm - 8:50pm, Team Red VS. Team Green

Thursday July 28, 2005
12:30pm - 1:50pm, Team Blue VS. Team Green
2:00pm - 3:20pm, Team White VS. Team Red
5:00pm - 6:20pm, Team White VS. Team Blue
6:30pm - 7:50pm, Team Red VS. Team Green

Friday July 29, 2005
2:00pm - 4:50pm, All-Star Game

ALPENA ICEDIGGERS MAIN CAMP SCHEDULE

Sunday July 31, 2005
2:00pm - 3:20pm, Team White practice
3:30pm - 4:50pm, Team Red practice
7:00pm - 8:50pm, Team White VS. Team Red

Monday August 1, 2005
9:00am - 10:20am, Team Red practice
10:30am - 11:50am, Team White practice
4:00pm - 5:50pm, Team Red VS. Team White

Tuesday August 2, 2005
12:00pm - 1:50pm, Team White VS. Team Red

The coaching staff will select the top 25 players for the '05-06 Season. Players that make the roster will report to Alpena on Saturday August 13, 2005 at 2:00pm at the Northern Lights Arena.

The IceDiggers' first official team practice will be Monday August 15, 2005 at 3:00pm.