By: Riley Pollock – 23.10.24
Roughnecks head coach Josh Sanderson has put his stamp on the group heading into his second training camp with the team.
Sanderson, along with general manager Mike Board, have made moves through the dispersal draft, entry draft, trades, and free agency to put together a solid, nearly 40-man roster for this camp.
“I’m really excited about some of the new faces we got and the new group we got,” said Sanderson. “I’m looking forward to training camp and seeing everybody and building the chemistry. The guys from last year will obviously have a bit of a chip on their shoulder.
“I think we’re going to be a hard–working team and we’re going to have to earn everything we get but that’s how we want it.”
Some of the new faces, in terms of veterans, include former Roughnecks captains Curtis Dickson and Dane Dobbie as well as defenceman John Lintz, all of whom have won championships with the Riggers in the past.
“I think those guys are very important to be honest,” he said. “Those guys have been in the league a long time, they are great leaders. It’s great for the dressing room but also great on the floor. I thought we needed some more offence and that’s Dane and Curtis’ specialty.
“Along with picking up (Mathieu) Gautier, and (Brayden) Mayea, we feel we have more goals in the lineup and I think Lintz is going to help as veteran leadership, he’s tough to play against and he’s a coach in the offseason so he’s just a smart player back there.
“I think all three guys are going to help us a lot and I’m really glad they are here.”
Sanderson did indeed add to the forward group with those four bodies and all besides Dickson are left-handed shots. Sanderson expects that side of the offence will be one to watch during camp and into the preseason.
“I would say our left side is a lot deeper than last year so everyone is going to be fighting hard to get in the top grouping,” he explained. “Also our defence, we have a lot of turnover there, too. There is going to be a lot of competition in those spots and unfortunately with Liam LeClair’s injury that opens up another spot back there so we’re going to have a lot of competition. I think it’s a good thing going into the start of the season.”
The Riggers have two first–round picks from the 2024 draft in Mayea and defenceman Jack Follows heading into camp and Sanderson expects them to make an impact right away.
“I expect the first rounders, once they get their feet wet, to be ready to go,” he said. “I think they’re both good players, it might take some time in camp, a little bit of a learning process, but they are not 21–year-olds, they’re older than how rookies used to come in so they should be ready to rock-and-roll.”
He also expects a big step forward from second-year defender Bennett Smith.
“I just watched him in the summer and he was really tough to play against in the Mann Cup with Victoria,” Sanderson said. “He’s very strong for his size and he showed his speed in the summer a bit more than I had seen too, so I really think he’s ready to take that next step and he’s going to have every opportunity to do so.”
When it comes to the message Sanderson wants to send to his group heading into camp, it’s simple.
“We just want to be the hardest working team in the league,” said Sanderson. “We want to build a bit better culture than we had last year. That starts right away, getting our culture set and making sure we’re the hardest working team in the league.
“I think if we can do those two things success will follow.”
