Forward Jayden Napon tries to beat defenceman Jameson George during an intrasquad game at Halifax Mooseheads training camp at the RBC Centre in Dartmouth on Sunday. Photo by Halifax MooseheadsArticle contentThere are very few certainties up front for the Halifax Mooseheads heading into this season.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOutside of last year’s top scorers – Quinn Kennedy, Shawn Carrier and Liam Kilfoil – being counted on to fill those leading assignments again in 2025-26, everything else is up in the air. A rookie who played limited minutes in 2024-25 could all of a sudden be on the No. 1 line this year or vice versa for an underperforming returnee.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe coaches and management have made one thing clear – whether a player is a rookie or a veteran, roles will be handed out to those who earn them and jobs will be taken away for those who don’t deliver.Article content“Guys from the fourth line last year might have a great camp and go up to the first line this year. You never know what’s going happen,” second-year winger Will Bent said after the first intrasquad session of training camp at the RBC Centre in Dartmouth on Sunday.Article content“There was definitely a lot of skill out there today with some of the new guys. Guys are here to compete and it was a good first day.”Article contentCarrier was one player who took that to heart, taking the ice in the first skate even though other top veterans watched. Even though the third-year winger’s standing on the roster is as safe as anyone’s, he might’ve been the most intense player in the game.Article contentThe only other returning forward who matched his work ethic was sophomore centre Danny Walters, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s watched him play before. The 17-year-old Haligonian is wired to play all out at all times and he dished out more hits than anyone in the game.Article contentArticle content“I believe I’m an all-around player and I think I can do mostly everything but definitely my physical aspect is my strongest part,” said the 2024 first-round pick. “Showing signs of offensive ability and my individual skills is a big thing for me individually this year.”Article content“And (former head coach Andrew Lord) always preached to me to be a leader last year,” he added. “He would tell me I have great character and that’s who I need to be as a leader. So coming into camp, I (thought) ‘All right, I’m going to step into a leader role.’ I want that and I’m going to show coaches and all the players that I can be a leader now, too.”Article contentSome returnees would do well to follow his example. There were a handful of forwards who could’ve shown more hustle and there’s little room for error when it comes to making the right impression in this camp.Article contentBrad MacKenzie is in his first year as a head coach, and despite being in his fourth year with the organization, he’s already said he is coming to camp with an open mind.
Battles for roster spots, playing time up front on display on Day 1 of Mooseheads training camp
