The Airdrie Thunder begin preparations for the season in the Heritage Junior Hockey League in earnest tonight (September 4) when they take to the ice at the Ron Ebbesen Arena for the start of evaluation camp.  

Head Coach Derek Stamp is expecting as many as a dozen returning veterans from the team that lost out in the HJHL North Division final to the eventual league champion Red Deer Vipers.  Despite the veteran presence, Stamp says he expects a number of rookies to push hard for roster spots.

The camp will consist of four try out sessions, tonight and Thursday of this week and Tuesday and Thursday of next week.  The Thunder will also play five pre-season games starting with one Friday night against the Three Hills Thrashers.  Puck drop for that one is 8:00 pm at Ron Ebbesen.

Airdrie will also play exhibition contests against Okotoks, Blackfalds, and will have two games with Cochrane before they open up the regular season at home on Friday, September 21st against the Stettler Lightning.

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