CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Hockey season is still a few months away, but the rink at the 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial is ready to go.
Over 100 hockey players from all over the United Sates, Canada and Europe will make their way to the arena Thursday for the Johnstown Tomahawks tryout camp.
This is the first time in over two decades that the 1st Summit Arena has installed ice in the middle of July.
Head coach Mike Letizia says it was important to hold tryouts in downtown Johnstown to show off the city to future recruits. The tryout camp will run until Sunday, July 14.
The tryout camp comes after a historic season for the team. They made it further into the Robertson Cup Playoffs than any other team in franchise history.
Team captain Chris Trouba says he believes the team's close bond is what took them so far. Trouba says he hopes to have that closeness in the team again.
"Last year, yeah it was sad that we lost but we were more sad to leave each other. We were a big family last year, all 23 guys, we all loved each other to death and I think that's what made us really successful," said Trouba.
Tomahawk fans will have a chance to see the remaining prospects play on Sunday. They will play in two all-star games at 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. that are free and open to the public.
The Johnstown Tomahawks will be opening the season on Friday, Sept. 13, with away games in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They will play on home ice on Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28, against their division rival, the New Jersey Titans.
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