Americans open exhibition season Friday

Tri-City Americans coach Mike Williamson has had just a few days to evaluate his new team, but so far, he likes what he sees.

“I have been very impressed with the group’s commitment to come to the rink and work hard,” Williamson said. “I think they have paid attention. It has been a good atmosphere. We have had some good ice sessions, and we’ve gotten to know the players. We have some bad summer habits we have to address a little bit, but the guys are trying and they are working hard.”

The Americans still have close to 50 players in camp, but Wednesday night’s scrimmage and this weekend’s Everett Holiday Inn Preseason Classic will help Williamson and his staff get a better idea of what the season holds.

“There are still a lot of players here,” Williamson said. “We are still evaluating. We are implementing things, and what we have asked them to pay attention to, they have for the most part. This is a process and takes some time.”

Veterans and rookies alike will get a chance this weekend to earn a roster spot, for in a new system everything must be earned.

The Americans play Seattle at 11:30 a.m. today, with games following Saturday vs. Portland and Sunday vs. Victoria.

“It’s competitive. There are a lot of returning players, which is nice, and some younger players who have come really pushed and have shown they are ready to make the hockey team,” Williamson said. “We are still evaluating. There will be some tough decisions to make.

“There are a lot of veterans we have to look at. We have loyalty and respect for guys who have been here, but they have to earn a spot as well.”

Williamson has been impressed with overage defenseman and captain Justin Hamonic, who won the veterans fitness testing award for the third consecutive year when camp opened last week.

“He’s been great,” Williamson said. “I see a pretty strong leadership group with him at the head of that. He’s well respected by his teammates, he got glowing reviews from people within the organization and outside the organization. We will expect him to make sure things are being done the right way and the tone is being set every day.”

Hamonic said he wasn’t sure what to expect with a new coach, but said the transition has been seamless.

“It is an exciting time for the team,” Hamonic said. “To have the new staff and new guys in camp, it’s a good start to the year. It’s good to see new faces, new ideas and breathe some new life into the team. It breeds competition, too.”

Starting goalie Eric Comrie also has embraced the changes.

“It has been awesome,” Comrie said. “We have new coaches, which has been unbelievable so far. They have been working us really hard in practice and everyone is responding. You always want people to push you to get better. If you aren’t getting better, you are getting worse.”

Having Comrie and Hamonic on the back end has allowed Williamson to focus his efforts elsewhere.

“To have five returning guys is a good core to have,” Williamson said. “They complement each other, they are big, they are strong, they can play a heady game and make it miserable for other teams. To have strong goaltending means a lot for a hockey team. Eric is an established guy and (Evan) Sarthou looks like he wants to take a step forward and push for minutes.”

Also returning on the blue line are Riley Hillis, Josh Thrower and second-year players Brandon Carlo and Parker Wotherspoon, who have been to numerous camps and have been named to play on select teams.

“Going back to last year, we saw them (Carlo and Wotherspoon) develop over the season,” Hamonic said. “To see that continue throughout the summer, be recognized for their play and get opportunities for their hard work is nice.

“We are a really deep team. Not only on the back end, but at forward too. We have 16 who can play and two goalies who can stop pucks for us. We can rely on anybody on any night, which is huge for us. It will feel good to put the pieces back together and see how it works.”

w Annie Fowler: 582-1574; afowler@tricityherald.com; Twitter: tchicequeen

This story was originally published August 28, 2014 at 11:15 PM with the headline "Americans open exhibition season Friday."