Kids are back to school this week, and the class is now in session with the Regina Pats as training camp is now underway.
The team held their rookie camp on the ice Thursday and Friday before the veterans hit the ice on Saturday.
One of the players trying to leave a good impression in his first Western Hockey League (WHL) training camp is Cohen Klassen.
The Martensville product was the Pat’s top pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, as Regina selected him with the 51st selection in the third round.
Even though he grew up just down the road from the Saskatoon Blades home at SaskTel Centre, he was happy to be taken by another Saskatchewan-based WHL team.
“Super happy to be picked by a Saskatchewan team, pretty close and it’s good for all the parents too and family members to come out and watch.”
After his second day on the ice, he said it was good to reunite with his fellow prospects.
“It’s been good to see how all the guys I met at spring camp, and just seeing how they’re doing.”
After being drafted by the Pats, Klassen recognized the need to spend additional time in the gym during the offseason.
“Last summer I wouldn’t be going a lot and this summer and this summer I was going more like four to five days a week and skating four days a week.”
Like most rookies, Klassen hopes to make a strong impression at main camp with the veterans and work himself into the Pats lineup during the exhibition schedule.
Klassen describes himself “as a physical two-way power forward that finishes all of his checks that can put up some points too.”
When he’s finished with the Pats this fall, the 2008-born forward will spend the season with the U18 Warman Wildcats for the upcoming season.
The Pats will hold their main camp through the Labour Day Weekend at the Brandt Centre as it wraps up on Tuesday night at the Blue & White game at 6:00.
