The Kootenay Ice training camp got underway with a veteran skate yesterday morning, and the Rec Plex rink was awash in returning players.

In all, 19 guys from last year’s team are eligible to play in the Western Hockey League again this season.

“We’ve been chatting it up for the last month,” said third-year forward Drew Czwerwonka. “Everybody is eager to get back and start playing. I think we’re going to have a good season. All the guys on the team, we’re all close and we all hang out. It’s going to be a great year and this is one of the years where we can do some damage.”

Once the overage question is answered — forwards Kevin King, Steele Boomer and Matt Fraser, and goalie Todd Mathews are battling for three spots — the Ice will still have an enormous contingent of holdovers.

That’s a prospect that excites forward Christian Magnus.

“It’s definitely exciting to have a lot of guys coming back. We’re going to have a lot more depth this year, and a lot better team. It’s looking good so far,” he said, noting they’re looking to improve on a disappointing playoff performance against the Medicine Hat Tigers last year.

“We kind of fell short there, but we’re looking to continue on where we left off last season and get past the first round.”

Over the summer, the Ice lost the services of leading scorer Dustin Sylvester and Ryan Molle. They aged out, while Dominik Pacovsky signed a pro contract in his native Czech Republic.

“We lost Sylvester, but that just gives more room for another guy to step up,” said Czerwonka. “We’re going to have a lot of guys trying to prove themselves, who want to be on the top two lines. The next couple of weeks are going to be tough battling, just amongst ourselves, but that’s what you need in a team. It’s going to be fun.”

Kris Knoblauch, heading into his first season as head coach, appreciates the relative lack of turnover.

“I like that we don’t have a whole lot of new faces,” he said. “As a coach, the transition is so much easier.”

After the veterans’ practice and camp registration, 37 Ice prospects took part in a Blue-White scrimmage. That was followed by a goaltenders’ session.

Today, veterans and prospects will be split among three teams who will compete in a double round robin through the weekend.

Camp wraps up on Monday with the annual Blue-White Charity Intrasquad game, which starts at 11 a.m. Proceeds from admission-by-donation will go to United Way.

NOTE — After selling out of their initial allotment, the Ice have received an additional 100 tickets to January’s outdoor game in Spokane. The seats will be reserved until Tuesday, Sept. 7. Kootenay season ticket holders are elligible to purchase them. Contact the Ice office at 417-0322 for more information.