Tryout Camp: Friday rosters & updates

Six squads have become four as Friday action begins at L.C. Walker Arena! Before I get to the rosters for today, the four games scheduled have been bumped back slightly. The new arrangement is below:

9 a.m. - Maroon vs. White
11 a.m. - Black vs. Gold
4 p.m. - White vs. Black
6 p.m. - Gold vs. Maroon

And here are today's rosters. As before, only veterans and draft picks are listed due to club policy. Final cuts are set for tonight, with the "all-star game" scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday. As always admission is free!

White:
1 - Hayden Stewart
5 - Carter Foguth
8 - Tyler Heinonen
9 - Adam Gilmour
10 - Joe Cox
12 - Brett D'Andrea
13 - Luc Gerdes
16 - Noah Batis

Gold:
1 - Tyler Ross
2 - Chris Leibinger
4 - Corey Schueneman
7 - Dan O'Keefe
8 - Frederik Tiffels
9 - Chad McDonald
12 - Mike McNicholas

Black:
4 - Rasmus Bengtsson
8 - Cullen Hurley
9 - Connor Hurley
11 - Riley Alferd
12 - William Messa
14 - Chase Phelps
18 - Stephen Spinner

Maroon:
2 - Ben Storm
4 - Luc Snuggerud
5 - Zach Yoder
6 - Tristan Rostagno
8 - Max Shuart
9 - Mason Jobst
10 - Connor Garland
11 - Tyler Hill
12 - Ben Foster
16 - John Peterson

Update: 11:40 a.m.
I've been hesitant to give too much information on who's scoring and what's happening in the scrimmages so far. While watching the players get after it is fun, the outcomes of Tryout Camp intrasquad games often have little bearing on who makes the team and who doesn't. (I am updating our Twitter account regularly with period recaps, pictures, etc.)

Ron Mason advises the Lumberjacks' decision-making
process after an illustrious college coaching career.

Lumberjacks Senior Advisor Ron Mason emphasized that point with me just now, as I spotted him checking out this morning's action from the L.C. Walker Arena seats.

"Essentially these are pick-up games," said the winningest coach in men's college hockey history. "Some players play well in this type of environment and some play better when things are more organized. The challenge is determining which players will fit well in the system you're trying to play."

Mason reiterated something I've heard often in recent weeks from Assistant Coach Steve Palmer and the rest of the Lumberjacks Hockey Operations team: the large majority of the player evaluation work is already done.

"You have to trust your scouting," Mason said. "You should have a good idea about who will make your team before camp even starts."

Although he downplayed the relevance of Tryout Camp minutiae, Mason did express his enjoyment in being in the building to see both fresh and familiar faces.

"I look for skill and speed and if a guy has playmaking ability," said Mason, who gave some pointers to Muskegon veteran Carter Foguth after his morning game today.

Mason seemed most excited for the all-star games tomorrow.

"That's when you'll see some hockey that looks close to how we want to play," he said.