The Osoyoos Coyotes hosted its spring camp this weekend and 55 prospects participated. The spring camp was the was the first the team has held in three years. (Dale Boyd / Osoyoos Times)

By Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

The hockey season never truly ends.

Over the weekend newly appointed head coach Dean Maynard looked to grow his team from the ground up with skill and good attitudes during the Osoyoos Coyotes spring camp.

There were 55 prospects in town looking to show their skills both on and off-ice.

Maynard said Connor Funke was “definitely a stand-out” player along with Tynan Peacock out of Everett, WA. and Justin Clarke.

“Not only that, but a lot of our returnees that came out, they stood out as well. Brandon Della Paolera, Evan Della Paolera, just showing they have the skill set to play with those high-calibre players as well,” Maynard said.

Players were tested on base skills, how many push ups they could do in a minute, agility tests and more, and fans enjoyed on-ice matches throughout the weekend.

Prospective Coyotes were monitored closely by the coaching staff and evaluators, keeping an eye on players’ hockey IQ, shooting, puck handling and overall body language.

Cory Cameron, who has a long hockey resume working with U17 and U18 Team Canada and the Kootenay Ice, spoke to parents and players about focus, preparation and getting to the next level of hockey.

“He was a big evaluator for the camp as well this year,” Maynard said.

• Read more: Maynard named head coach of Coyotes

The spring camp, the first the team has held in three years, is a good way for the Coyotes to get out ahead of the curve, according to Maynard.

“I believe that having my ducks in a row to start off the season and getting everything organized, I think we’ll be ahead of the game when we get to the main camp. Now I can focus more on recruiting other players,” Maynard said.

Maynard will now focus on recruitment from across Canada and beyond seeking players that fit with his philosophy.

“Our philosophy is going to be a good attitude and a strong effort on the ice, and creating good habits. With those three things I think we create a winning team and not just winning on the ice, but off the ice as well,” Maynard said.

In more technical hockey terms, Maynard wants to build his team from the back end and move up from there. Starting with the netminder.

“We had 13 amazing goalies. It was probably one of the toughest decisions to make. To only carry six goals through the all-star game (on Sunday),” Maynard said.

From there, Maynard is looking to create a defence-first team.

“I always tell kids ‘you go on ice to not get scored on.’ It will create opportunities to score goals if you don’t get scored on,” Maynard said.

He is hoping to host the upcoming main camp some time in September.

Maynard promises fans a “very competitive and very energetic,” team this year.

“I’m pretty excited for the main camp,” Maynard said.