As the Soo Greyhounds opened training camp on Tuesday ahead of the 2017-18 Ontario Hockey League season, the team did so without veteran goaltender Joseph Raaymakers.
The veteran netminder is currently home awaiting trade after requesting a move late last week.
Between the number of new faces around the league in management and coaching roles along with Raaymakers not being with the team, Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Raftis said it’s not an ideal scenario when it comes to moving the veteran.
“It’s hard to say if it’s harder but it’s a situation with as many guys changing positions, whether it’s a general manager or head coach, coming into training camps, a lot of groups were talking about getting a feel for what everyone looks like (within the organization),” Raftis said. “Timing-wise, it’s never ideal when you get a trade request but it’s always difficult when a player is sitting at home.”
“It’s not as easy to showcase the player and make due while you work through it,” Raftis added.
The Greyhounds general manager did say that teams inquired about Raaymakers when news broke of the trade request over the weekend but the team isn’t close to a move yet.
For the team going ahead, it will be a matter of evaluating the internal candidates to fill the role of playing alongside Matthew Villalta between the pipes for the Greyhounds.
“We’re going to see what we have internally and see what our options are going to be moving forward,” Raftis said. “If there’s a deal that makes sense for us and it includes a goalie or doesn’t include one, we’ll have to evaluate that. First and foremost, you don’t want to cut off a player coming into this camp. Everybody is aware (of the situation) and can see there’s an opening that wasn’t there two weeks ago.”
Raftis also said that a solid playoff performance meant Raaymakers earned the opportunity to start the season as the Greyhounds starter.
“They trained a lot this summer together and they were good friend,” Raftis said. “The way Joseph ended the season, there was no question he was our number one goaltender. And that’s no disrespect to Matt. When you put up the numbers (Raaymakers) did in the playoffs, it’s something that you can’t predict too far down the road but that’s how we saw it.”
After practices on Tuesday evening, training camp continues on Wednesday with practices and scrimmages. The first scrimmage of the day is set for 11 a.m. All on-ice sessions are at the Essar Centre.