File photo.

The Virden Oil Capitals are preparing to open camp for the 2015 season.

The club will not hold a rookie camp however, main camp will start Friday at Tundra Oil and Gas Place.

"It's been a long wait and the end of the summer is coming so we're looking forward to getting going here," said Head coach Troy Leslie.  "It's going to be a good weekend."

Leslie noted the community support for the team is important; adding the clubs goal is to put a hard working team on the ice.

"We have got about 18 guys with Junior A experience in our camp and then we made five or six other signings during the summer as well," said Leslie.  "We've got a lot of guys that are competing for jobs and then we have got of list guys coming that are 15 or 16 years old that are coming in for another look.  The coaching staff takes a lot away from this weekend and we feel this is going to be real competitive camp."

The Oil Capitals finished the 2014-15 season in 5th place with a 30 wins.  The Oil Caps went on to knock out the Winkler Flyers in round 1 of the MJHL playoffs and be eliminated by the RBC Cup champion Portage Terriers in round 2.  

"Right now it's important at the camp we look after our own team to get it set up but you know it's really wide open this year," explained the Virden coach when asked about the rest of the league.  "With Portage winning the national championship there are a lot of teams who have built around this year and it will be a very competitive season."

Leslie added due to the high level of competition it's going to be important for his team to have a strong start to the season.

The Virden Oil Capitals begin their pre-season schedule on September 1st in Portage. The Oil Caps play their preseason home opener September 5th against the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.