WestLEAFfan
09-21-2007, 01:06 PM
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=64438&sc=5
SPORTS
Last updated at 12:39 PM on 21/09/07
Campese's Raiders kick off campaign
Emotional night for first-year coach after dealing with loss of his father
RYAN BOULTON
Herald staff
It will be an emotional night for Prince Albert Raiders head coach Bruno Campese - for more reasons than he first anticipated.
Tonight's WHL season opener, circled on his calendar since he arrived in Prince Albert this summer, has taken on even more meaning over the past couple weeks as the 41-year-old Campese dealt with the death of his father.
Having added his personal struggles to the whirlwind of his first Western Hockey League training camp as head man, Campese is ready to get things underway but admitted he might take time to remember one of the reasons he has gotten to this point in hockey.
"He was a huge hockey fan and my biggest support, whether as a player or a coach, he loved the game and loved what I am doing," Campese said of his dad.
"So to me, this whole year is going to be special. He was a big part of me and my hockey career, both as a player and a coach. Starting the season is always an exciting time, but (tonight) is going to be a special night for a lot of reasons."
And while Campese is ready to take on the new challenge behind the Raiders bench, he also admitted the club isn't quite where he would like to see it.
"There is a lot of different things we have had to incorporate here and change, so it's taken some time," said Campese. "It's a whole different mindset we have in here now, and it's a work in progress. And really, in earnest, it starts (tonight). We aren't making any bones about the fact that we have a lot to do, but we feel we can be very competitive.
The Raiders could find out right away just how competitive they might be as the Pats are picked by many to occupy the top rung in the East Division.
And while Campese isn't too familiar with the club from the Queen City, tonight's clash at the Art Hauser Centre the return match Sunday afternoon in Regina should be a measuring stick of sorts.
"This gives us a opportunity right away to see what we are going to be like against a team a lot of people are saying is going to be one of the strong clubs in the league," said Campese.
Newly anointed captain Ryan DePape, who begins his fourth season with the Raiders, said while the Pats are touted as one of the Eastern Conference's best, it's important they get off to a good start.
"We will be keeping our game pretty simple," said DePape. "It's the real deal now and there's no fooling around."
With the Raiders sometimes hurt in the pre-season by undisciplined penalties, DePape said staying out of the box is a must.
"Penalties and undisciplined play sometimes happen in pre-season, but now that stuff can't happen and we have to be accountable," said DePape.
Fellow veteran Mike Gauthier, who begins his fifth season in the green and gold, doesn't agree with those pundits saying the Raiders might have a hard time making the playoffs.
"We have a lot of guys that can surprise people, and I think can surprise some teams in this league," said Gauthier.
"We have a lot of guys returning who are year older and a year stronger, and I think we have what it takes to be a good team in the this league."
rboulton@paherald.sk.ca
SPORTS
Last updated at 12:39 PM on 21/09/07
Campese's Raiders kick off campaign
Emotional night for first-year coach after dealing with loss of his father
RYAN BOULTON
Herald staff
It will be an emotional night for Prince Albert Raiders head coach Bruno Campese - for more reasons than he first anticipated.
Tonight's WHL season opener, circled on his calendar since he arrived in Prince Albert this summer, has taken on even more meaning over the past couple weeks as the 41-year-old Campese dealt with the death of his father.
Having added his personal struggles to the whirlwind of his first Western Hockey League training camp as head man, Campese is ready to get things underway but admitted he might take time to remember one of the reasons he has gotten to this point in hockey.
"He was a huge hockey fan and my biggest support, whether as a player or a coach, he loved the game and loved what I am doing," Campese said of his dad.
"So to me, this whole year is going to be special. He was a big part of me and my hockey career, both as a player and a coach. Starting the season is always an exciting time, but (tonight) is going to be a special night for a lot of reasons."
And while Campese is ready to take on the new challenge behind the Raiders bench, he also admitted the club isn't quite where he would like to see it.
"There is a lot of different things we have had to incorporate here and change, so it's taken some time," said Campese. "It's a whole different mindset we have in here now, and it's a work in progress. And really, in earnest, it starts (tonight). We aren't making any bones about the fact that we have a lot to do, but we feel we can be very competitive.
The Raiders could find out right away just how competitive they might be as the Pats are picked by many to occupy the top rung in the East Division.
And while Campese isn't too familiar with the club from the Queen City, tonight's clash at the Art Hauser Centre the return match Sunday afternoon in Regina should be a measuring stick of sorts.
"This gives us a opportunity right away to see what we are going to be like against a team a lot of people are saying is going to be one of the strong clubs in the league," said Campese.
Newly anointed captain Ryan DePape, who begins his fourth season with the Raiders, said while the Pats are touted as one of the Eastern Conference's best, it's important they get off to a good start.
"We will be keeping our game pretty simple," said DePape. "It's the real deal now and there's no fooling around."
With the Raiders sometimes hurt in the pre-season by undisciplined penalties, DePape said staying out of the box is a must.
"Penalties and undisciplined play sometimes happen in pre-season, but now that stuff can't happen and we have to be accountable," said DePape.
Fellow veteran Mike Gauthier, who begins his fifth season in the green and gold, doesn't agree with those pundits saying the Raiders might have a hard time making the playoffs.
"We have a lot of guys that can surprise people, and I think can surprise some teams in this league," said Gauthier.
"We have a lot of guys returning who are year older and a year stronger, and I think we have what it takes to be a good team in the this league."
rboulton@paherald.sk.ca