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Clippers see bright future after spring camp

The Nanaimo Clippers held a spring player-identification camp earlier this month at Cliff McNabb Arena.
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Nanaimo Clippers prospect Spencer Hewson is checked by an opponent during the orange-versus-black intrasquad game at spring camp June 2 at Cliff McNabb Arena.

The general managing never really stops in junior hockey.

The Nanaimo Clippers held a spring player-identification camp earlier this month at Cliff McNabb Arena, looking at prospects for this coming season and beyond.

There were enough registrants to make up six teams, and players played a series of scrimmage games before two rosters were selected for an orange-versus-black finale.

"The players played hard and we were really, really happy…" said Mike Vandekamp, Clippers coach and general manager. "It was a balanced mix of guys that we look at a bit more for the long-term future and then some that would get some consideration for now."

Many of the participants were local teens who have been on the Clippers' radar for some time, and there were a few who were new to the mix.

"We're getting to know the local area kids a lot better, that's for sure, and we're creating a good relationship with those kids," said Vandekamp. "[And] we definitely found some kids at the camp that we didn't know that much about that ended up being real good players."

The GM had a chance to meet with every single player at the camp last weekend and extended some invitations to main camp at the end of the summer.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com