The Osoyoos Coyotes first game of the 2019/2020 season is on Sept. 20. (Vanessa Broadbent / File photo)

By Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

The Osoyoos Coyotes are set to open the season at home on Sept. 20 against the Grand Forks Border Bruins.

Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done before then with a main camp to be held in August and some roster spots left to fill.

Two new players have committed to the Coyotes in the past two weeks, including Defenceman Tynan Peacock from Everett, WA who “is very excited to be a part of the Coyotes organization and can’t wait for the season to begin. Go Yotes!” he said via a tweet from the Coyotes.

Peacock came recommended to head coach Dean Maynard from his hockey connections during his recruiting efforts, and Maynard got a first-hand look at the April prospect camp held in Osoyoos.

“He was definitely one of the top players at the camp,” Maynard said. “Guys that came and helped me and worked at the camp, that came from higher clubs like the WHL, told me that this kid can definitely be a top-end player in the KIJHL.”

Maynard said Peacock has the potential to play higher-level hockey within the next year or so.

Also committing to the Coyotes is a familiar face in forward Michael Greenwood, a former affiliated player with the team.

“He’s pretty gritty, fast and quick. Puts the puck in the net,” Maynard said.

The roster still has a lot of spots to fill before the August camp.

“I’m looking for a strong, dedicated team this year with very good attitudes, not poor attitudes. We did have some poor attitudes last year, so we can’t focus on that poor attitude aspect this year,” Maynard said.

With the release of the KIJHL schedule, Maynard’s priorities were mostly regarding weather, trying to get away games during nicer weather to avoid poor travelling conditions for the team.

“That was one of my strategies was trying to get the long road trips out of the way during good weather,” Maynard said. “But basically, it is what it is, the games are the games. I think everybody has a shot to win the games, so it’s how you want to play.”

Exhibition games start on Sept. 3 for the Coyotes.