Players scrimmage during Shreveport Mudbugs Training Camp on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, La. The first week of training camp finished with a flurry for the Shreveport Mudbugs on Saturday.
Players trying to earn a spot on the Shreveport Mudbugs roster scrimmaged Saturday on George's Pond at Hirsch Coliseum. Several players from last year’s squad flourished, as did plenty of newbies, during the round-robin tournament format. Fans were treated to nine games among the Mudbugs’ five training camp teams.
“They had a good week of competing,” Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell said. “It’s a long process for these guys – a lot of stressful situations. We had some good hockey, some tough hockey and the attitudes were good all week long, so I’m just fired up about the big picture.
” The Light Blue group, led by returning Mudbugs Brent Litchard and Lucas Deeb recovered from an early loss in the double-elimination affair to win the day. “We lean on those guys a lot through this process,” Campbell said. “They’ve done a great job so far, but they’re going to have to keep bringing it because there are a lot of hungry hockey players out there.
” Deeb scored twice Saturday and Brent Litchard scored in the championship game as Light Blue won its final three games, including a 2-0 triumph against Black to finish things. Salvatore Viviano, a 16-year-old from Wyandotte, Mich., scored the game-winning goal in the title game.
Unfortunately, for many of the 80-plus players who took the ice at George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum, the dream to make the 2024 roster is over. Cuts came after the scrimmages on Saturday. Campbell didn’t aim to get to a specific number, but those who remained in town still have plenty of opportunity.
“We lost a lot of leadership and points up front and on the backend from last year,” Campbell said. “There are a lot of big opportunities here. We have a lot of good players here.
We’re about to clear the air (in terms of cuts) and move forward.” More cuts are on tap before the 2024-25 season opens with a Sept. 14 affair at The George against Corpus Christi.
Players who scored during Saturday’s scrimmages (birth year) Black-Johnny Park (2005) White-Dantae Hunziker (2005) Light Blue-Jacob Bergstrom (2004) Light Blue-William Fliss (2004) Orange-Brendan Johnson (2004) Light Blue-Jack Mackenzie (2005) Black-Brody Merrick (2007) White-Bryce Boucher (2004) Light Blue-Lucas Deeb (2004) Orange-Iam Emery (Mudbugs, 2005) Light Blue-Fliss Light Blue-Deeb Light Blue-Salvatore Viviano (2007) Light Blue-Brent Litchard (2004).
