By Dan McCaffery

Supporters of the Sarnia Legionnaires could hardly contain their enthusiasm Tuesday night after watching players hoping to make the Jr. 'B' hockey club take part in a 90-minute scrimmage.

The event, held at the RBC Centre, attracted a number of veterans, along with several newcomers. Included among those on hard were a pair of smooth-skating Europeans and a prospect from Montana.

General manager Bob Williamson was impressed with what he saw.

"I think we'll have speed and lots of size,” he said. “Jeff Perry (Sarnia's head coach) and his staff are going to have some tough choices to make. We've got a lot of potential coming into our camp (which opens this weekend). We've done a lot of work to bring in some good players.”

In net, Kyle Washer and Darren Foubister both looked sharp.

If there is a concern, it's on the back end, Williamson said, adding the club has to improve its defence from last year.

Jesse Drydak, who led the Legionnaires in scoring last winter, was also impressed with the talent on hand.

"I like it a lot, things look really good thus far," the speedy right-winger said afterward. “We've got a lot of young talent coming up, guys like Nathan Mater. And we've got a Russian player who looks really smooth. He's a good skater and puck handler. And we've got a lot of guys over six feet tall.”

The Legionnaires have a trio of exhibition games lined up.

The club will play a home-and-home series with the arch-rival Strathroy Rockets, with the first contest going Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Gemini Centre in Strathroy, with the puck drop set for 7:30 p.m.. The second will be staged the next night at the Clearwater Arena, beginning at 7 p.m.

Sarnia will host the St. Thomas Stars Sept. 2 at Clearwater Arena, again at 7 p.m.

The Legionnaires will have earlier start times this coming season so more youngsters will be able to attend games.

Williamson said training camp will open this Saturday, Aug. 21, with players taking to the ice at Clearwater Arena from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following day, Sunday, Aug. 22, there will be an intersquad game starting around 2 p.m.

"The top 40 players will take part in a black-and-white game,” Williamson said.