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Have you missed the Colts? They will be back at the 'Barn' soon

Colts hit the ice for training camp Aug. 30 and will play the first of six pre-season games on Sept. 3 against Oshawa

With the 2022/2023 OHL season kicking off in less than three weeks, the Barrie Colts have been busy making moves on and off the ice to prepare.

The Colts play their first regular season game, and home opener, on Thursday, Sept. 29 as they host the Oshawa Generals. Prior to that, they will play six pre-season games starting with a 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3 game at the Sadlon Arena against Oshawa. 

Pre-season training camp has always been a good way for coaches and fans to get a good look at potential Colts players.

Due to pandemic restrictions, last season’s training camp was closed to the public, but this year the doors are open to the Sadlon Arena.

Ice times are as follows:

Tuesday, Aug. 30 scrimmages are from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 31 will be a full day of scrimmages that will see players on the ice from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. After a break for lunch, the players will be back out from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a final session from 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. 

The Blue versus White game will be Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m., also at the Sadlon.

Team preparation is happening now as the team makes moves on the ice and behind the bench. 

Barrie made a trade with the Erie Otters on Aug. 6, acquiring goaltender Benjamin West for a 15th round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection Draft. 

West was taken 190th overall in the 10th round of the 2019 Priority Selection and sported an .899 save percentage n 45 games last season in the Central Canada Hockey League playing in 45 games.

A day before that, the Colts picked up 2003-born defenceman, Josh Kavanagh from the Peterborough Petes in exchange for a conditional 2024 6th round selection.

Kavanagh was originally drafted by the Petes 93rd overall in the fifth round of the 2019 OHL draft. The right-shot defenceman hails from Hanmer, ON and has suited up for 60 OHL games, registering five points.

Behind the bench, Taylor Carnevale has stepped down as assistant coach to pursue other opportunities. Carnevale had spent 143 games playing in a Colts jersey from 2008 to 2011. 

Phillip Barski and Dylan Smoskowitz have joined the team for the upcoming season, both as assistant coaches. 

Barski had spent the previous two seasons with Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL as their assistant coach. 

Smoskowitz is returning to Barrie after spending two seasons and 167 games playing in a Colts jersey dating back to 2009-2012. 

Smoskowitz spent last season with the Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

For more information on tickets for the Colts, click here.