It has been a busy summer of preparation for head coach Kurtis Jones and assistant coach Erik Krigel in advance of the Cochrane Generals camp that opens on Aug. 31.

They've been successful in recruiting prospects, including some Cochrane skaters who played for other junior leagues last year as they gear up for another run at the Heritage Junior Hockey League title.

"Some guys take the whole summer off, and our group, we work all the way through to try to get players to camp and see where they fall from camp. You can't get them if you don't go watch them or talk to them," says Jones.

Camp opens on Aug. 31 for the goalies and player camp runs from Sept. 2 to 5.

An added feature of the camp is an exhibition game against the University of Korea team on Sept. 5 at the Cochrane Arena starting at 12:30 p.m.

"I'm not sure what our team will be like, but I've implemented that into our camp so players that are trying out will play an exhibition game instead of a blue and white game. It will be quite interesting."

HJHL exhibition play opens with a home-and-home series against the Airdrie Techmation Thunder on Sept. 9. The Gens are at home on Sept. 10 in the second game of the series.

The season opener is a rematch between the Gens and Okotoks Bisons in Okotoks on Sept. 16. The two were finalists in the HJHL championship last season.

Cochrane's home opener is on Sept. 24 against the High River Flyers.

With the return of the Ponoka Stampeders and the withdrawal of the Lamond Lakers and Kainai Chiefs, the Gens have found themselves back in the south division. The Stettler Lightning, who withdrew last season, will not be icing a team this year.

While the Gens are looking to build a winning team, they also help players wanting to pursue a higher level of hockey.

Most recently, the team's number one goalie Davyn LaRocke, who aged out, was recruited by the Boise State Broncos of the American Collegiate Hockey Association for the 2022-23 season.

"Multiple teams are calling and asking at the higher level. Some guys are interested and some guys aren't that are with us, but I do promote our players 100 per cent."