Alpena starts training camp Monday

The Alpena IceDiggers will open training camp on Monday at 4:30 p.m. at Northern Lights Arena.

Every IceDiggers practice this season will be open to the public.

After a long offseason, the IceDiggers coaching staff and the 25 players that will make up this year's roster are ready for Monday to arrive.

"I am very happy and excited about starting fresh on Monday," Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller said. "I feel with the group of kids we have coming back and the new guys stepping in we should have a successful season."

The IceDiggers return 14 players from last years squad and every one of them will be counted on heavily by the coaching staff.

"Each guy brings something different to the table and I expect them to carry us all season long," Miller added.

With many returning players, Miller needed to find players not only to blend with the veterans, but to carry the torch in the future for the IceDiggers.

"The new guys will also help with our quest to gain our first playoff appearance since joining the league," said Miller. "I anticipate them to step in right away and also make a difference."

Goaltending should be a strong position for the IceDiggers this season.

"I believe that with the guys we have coming in to play goal we will have a chance to win every night if they are on their game," boasted Miller. "Shawn Hunwick is a small guy who relies on his athletic ability and is very good. Brandon Stephenson is a big kid who was one win away from winning a high school state championship last season and local netminder Justin Marzeen will gain experience playing and practicing at this level everyday."

The rest of the training camp roster includes Todd Rudasill, Brett Kaneshiro, Ben Kitzmiller, Evan West, Ricardo Yesue, Erik Peterson, Zach Barron, Drew Pierson, Chris Hendrickson, Marco Ruggeri, Ryan King, Taylor Doorlag, Justin Stadler, Jimmy McCusker, Austin Seiple, Chad Billins, Artur Kret, Nolan Craner, Korey O'Brien, Logan Toohey, Tyler Coe and Eric Roman.

Fans are encouraged to come to Northern Lights Arena and watch as the IceDiggers start practicing this Monday. Practice time for next week will be Monday thru Friday from 2:30-4:00 p.m.