CALGARY, AB — This is a crucial off-season for the youth of the Calgary Roughnecks.
Tor Reinholdt, Tyson Roe, Garrett McIntosh, and Patrick O’Meara are hoping to use the summer to continue to improve so they can come into training camp next December and fight for a roster spot.
“I’m looking to come back real strong,” McIntosh said. “I’m trying to get my playing weight to 225, but with much more muscle mass. I’ve definitely set some goals for myself for next year.”
Ditto for O’Meara.
“I will make sure to train and I might try to add a couple of pounds,” he said. “Just making sure I’m ready to come back in good shape.”
Watching games from the press box down the stretch was a great playing experience.
So too was being around the group, which lost in the West Division Final to the Edmonton Rush.
“We had a veteran team and I learned a ton,” Reinholdt said. “Obviously everyone that’s here wants to play and I was chomping at the bit. Pushing it hard in practice and doing my best to push the other guys. I just take so much from this group. There are tons of good guys and I’m excited for next year.”
After playing in every game in 2014, McIntosh played only 10 games in 2015, and didn’t draw into the Roughnecks playoff run.
He’s hoping to bull his way back into the lineup on a full-time basis.
“This year was a lot different than last year as I played half as many games as last year,” said McIntosh. “I know the coaches plans were to go with the veteran group and it worked out really well, it was a good decision.
“If we have to replace some people, then I’m definitely gunning for that spot. I’ve proved myself last year and I think I proved myself this year. Whatever Curt chooses will be the right decision. If I can get in the lineup, I’m working my butt off to get in there. I don’t want them to have an option. I want them to have a decision where they can’t take me out of the lineup.”
McIntosh will be playing for the Maple Ridge Burrards during the summer alongside Roughnecks teammates Frankie Scigliano and Patrick O’Meara.
O’Meara, who didn’t get into a game with the Roughnecks, is hoping that with everything he has learned he can make the transition next season and get into some NLL games.
“This was my first year with the team, so I was trying to learn the systems,” O’Meara said. “I think I started to fit in a little bit more at the end of the year. Hopefully next year, I can get a couple games in. I want to play my way in and make sure they can’t take me out. That’s the goal for next season, just make sure I’m playing.”
Reinholdt, the Roughnecks first round pick (No. 6) in 2013, who was drafted as a defensive-transition player saw the floor for one game in 2015, but as a forward.
Regardless of the role that he is asked to play, Reinholdt will be ready to bring it next year.
“I played a defensive-transition role for a while and this year I got a game in for offence,” he said. “They kind of switched my role a bit to see how and where I fit. I got the best of both worlds, learning from a bunch of guys on defence and watching the guys on offence. I’m not sure where I’m going to fit next year but hopefully it’s either end.”
To keep in shape and make sure that he is ready for next season, Reinholdt will be playing Senior B in Calgary, as well as coaching alongside Geoff Snider through Elev8. His goal is to keep his stick in his hands as much as possible.
As for the Roughnecks massive rookie Tyson Roe, he has a simple plan for the summer ahead.
“Work, working out, and lacrosse,” said Roe.
Playing for the Nanaimo Timbermen of the WLA, Roe’s focus will be on making the playoffs and getting himself prepared for training camp.
Should some roster spots become available this off-season, the Roughnecks young guns will be ready to compete.
