Tim Hunter during his introductory media conference in July.

The past month has been a crash course on the Moose Jaw Warriors for Tim Hunter.

The tribe's new head coach was hired for the job in mid-July and since then has been getting brought up to speed on the roster battles as the team prepares for training camp to start this week.

67 players are expected to report to training camp on Wednesday. Fitness testing kicks off camp on Thursday morning and then the rookies around the ice throughout the afternoon. The opening day wraps up with a scrimmage, 7:00pm at Mosaic Place.

“I love training camp, it's a great time of the year, everyone is enthusiastic and we're looking forward to a good season, and it starts at training camp,” said Hunter.

Just like the players, Hunter has had a busy past month in preparation for training camp as he's been getting brought up to speed on the returning players and the new players coming into the Warriors this season.

He spent time after being hired calling each player and introducing himself, while also trying to get a feel for the players coming into camp.

“The guys are excited for a clean slate, new start,” said Hunter. “It's been a disappointing last couple of years, but there's been a lot of work done by Mike Stothers and Alan Millar putting these guys in place and teaching them the right, so we're just going to build on that.”

Hunter got a first hand look at a few of the Warriors' young players in Calgary earlier this month, seeing Brett Howden, Noah Gregor and Brody Willms on the ice at the Hockey Canada Under-17 Selection Camp and Zach Sawchenko in action during the lead up to the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

During that time in Calgary, Hunter also sat down with General Manager Alan Millar and Assistant GM Rob MacLachlan.

“Tim and I have spoke right through our first meeting through to meetings (Monday) in terms of what our projections are, who we feel are competing for spots on the team and who are signed players are,” said Millar. “At the end of the day, Tim has a good idea of what we're building and he's excited and getting prepared to see the guys on the ice.”

So what will the Warriors look like under Tim Hunter?

“For me it all starts with hard work,” said Hunter. “You don't need any skill, you don't need any brains and you don't need any talent to work hard. Everyone can work hard and that's something that I'll expect from everyone.”

That hard work means Hunter wants to see the players coming into camp in tip top shape. He also going to be looking closely at what type of players each player is and how committed they are to hitting the ground running this year.

“We're looking for guys that compete hard for pucks, in all situations, not just offensively,” said Hunter. “Just smart hockey sense as well, guys that know the game, think the game and are easy to coach.”

The players and coach will have about a month to get acquainted with each other during camp and the preseason before the games start for real. Hunter expects there to be a feeling out process, but it's one that he's looking forward to.

“We'll give them a template of how we want them to play and we'll start off slow with that and get them up to speed,” said Hunter. “My way of doing things is foot on the gas as a coach and I hope they've got their foot on the gas as players.”

Bryson Gore last season with the Moose Jaw Warriors. (file photo)

Gore Moving On From Warriors

When the Warriors released their training camp roster on Monday, there was a name noticeably missing from the 67 players that will be attending their camp.

Then came word on Tuesday that Bryson Gore had decided to stay at home in Lethbridge this year.

“In discussions over the summer, Bryson felt that it was important for him to be near home in Lethbridge,” said Alan Millar, Warriors' General Manager. “Great kid and has grown up a lot in the last year or so in terms of things that he's dealing with.”

Gore played two seasons with the Warriors, scoring 20 goals and 34 points in 137 career WHL games. The 19-year-old figured to be in a battle for a roster spot this year, but Millar reiterated that had nothing to do with the decision as it was purely based on family reasons and he's exploring his other hockey and university options.

“For Bryson, it's just not going to work for him moving forward in the WHL, we respect that and wish him all the best,” said Millar.

The Warriors have also released defenceman Royce Rossignol, who will be attending training camp with the Prince George Cougars, and Dawson Haines, who will be at the Victoria Royals camp.

More on training camp:
Warriors' Point Wants To Keep Rolling
Rodewald Hopes To Build Of Big Year
Eberle Ready For His Final WHL Season