It's a sure sign that the Ontario Hockey League season is right around the corner.
The Sarnia Sting are holding camp, beginning at 8 a.m. Monday at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
Fitness testing will take place during the morning, followed by orientation camp scrimmages, for 2004 and 2005-born players, at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
General Manager Dylan Seca likes the makeup of the team so far.
"We're strong in net, and we think our back end is relatively secure," said Seca. "We've got some veteran presences back there and a core player that's yet to arrive. When he gets here, he'll be pretty dynamic. We've got some young defencemen that we drafted, and recently traded for. Up front is probably where the most competition is, to be honest. We aren't short on bodies that can play in this league, it's just a matter of whether a younger player can steal an older player's opportunity."
Orientation camp continues throughout the day Tuesday.
Main training camp is scheduled for Wednesday, and the annual United Way Black and White game will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday. Tickets for the Black and White game are $5.00 and can be purchased online.
In accordance with all provincial guidelines and health and safety protocols, 1,000 patrons will be allowed to attend the charity game.
However, camp is closed to the public, but the scrimmages will be streamed live on the Sting's Facebook page.
Seca admits there's more uncertainty heading into camp than in previous years since there was no 2020-21 season.
"We've been able to see some players throughout the summer, and we'll see how it goes," he said. "The other thing is that everyone else is in the same boat, so it is what it is. We're just excited to be having everyone together. We'll deal with those hurdles as they come, and we welcome them because at least we're talking about hockey."
Sarnia's preseason schedule gets underway Friday in London, before they welcome the Knights to town on Saturday night.
The regular season will start on Thursday, October 7 in Windsor. The Sting host the Spitfires in their home opener the following night.