The Barrie Colts kick off their 2025 OHL Training Camp Monday morning with fitness testing, and the day couldn’t have come soon enough for Dylan Smoskowitz.
While the new head coach of the Barrie Colts got married this summer, he admits another big day he had circled on his calendar was August 25.
“I’ve been excited since I had the chat with (Vice President and General Manager Marty Williamson) at the beginning of the summer,” said the former assistant coach who took over the head coaching reins in late May. “A lot of people have been saying how fast summer has gone by, and it went by too quickly, but for me, it felt like an eternity. I want to get going. I want to get the guys back here and start to implement some stuff.
“I found myself doing a lot of work this summer, and, going into the season, we’ll probably only use about 20 per cent of the work I put in, just because you don’t know what team is going to be given to you and what the season is going to lead to, but again I just can’t wait to get going with this group.”
Williamson heard from Smoskowitz how the summer wasn’t passing by fast enough.
“He told me this summer felt like seven years,” the former Colts head coach said before laughing out loud. “He wants to get going. He wants to get going so bad. He and I talked every day, and it’s an exciting time for him. I really have a lot of appreciation for Dylan. I think he’s going to do a great job. It’s what made this transition much easier for (Colts owner Howie Campbell) and me.
“I’m here for him whenever he wants me. This is his job. I’m not going to bug him, but whenever he wants to talk about anything I’m going to support him 100 percent.”
It was a busy summer for Smoskowitz, who travelled across the province for face-to-face meetings with most of the returning players and new prospects while holding Zoom meetings with others.
The first-year head coach wanted to establish that connection with the players and get a better sense of what his expectations are and how he’s going to begin implementing his thoughts and process for the season. “To know what their goals are because without talking to them and understanding what their goals and aspirations are I can’t put myself in a spot to help them the way they need to be helped and the way they need to be driven and pushed to get where they want to be,” said Smoskowitz, who spent three years as an assistant coach with the team. “So, being on the same page and having some of those conversations was very important to me. I kind of made my trip across the province and found some time to meet with all the guys.”
Over 60 players will hit the ice for scrimmages beginning Tuesday morning at Sadlon Arena and Smoskowitz wants his players ready to go from the hop.
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There’s not much time to make an impression. He told many of his players the story of former Colts forward and current NHLer Tanner Pearson. For years prior, Pearson was a pretty good depth player who struggled with speed and wasn’t a huge offensive threat.
Then he put that work in during the summertime. Like Pearson did, Smoskowitz wants his players to come into camp in the best shape possible.
“From the first time we took to the ice with Tanner Pearson, we just knew there was something different about it,” explained Smoskowitz. “He sacrificed and dedicated his entire life to the game that summer, and from the first time his skates hit the ice, you knew things were going to happen for him. It ended up making him a player on the world junior team gold medal championship team. It obviously made him a first-round NHL pick, and he’s gone on to have a great career.
“Pretty much no one is trying to change anything about themselves. You’re just trying to come in the best shape possible and give yourself the best chance to make this team.”
While NHL first-rounders Cole Beaudoin and Kashawn Aitcheson spearhead a group of top returnees, many of the eyes at camp will be on top prospects such as Alexander Sementsov, Eamon Edgar, Joseph Salandra, and Andrei Gudin.
Cole Emerton, Jonah McCormick, and goalie Arvin Jaswals are other youngsters that have the OHL club excited about the future.
“We expect these guys to not only push for spots and make the team, but to push our older guys as well,” said Smoskowitz. “My philosophy as a coach, I don’t care what round you’re drafted in. I don’t care how old you are. You give this team the best chance to win hockey games, then you’re going to be on the ice.”
While many of the kids at camp will be sent home before the end of the week, the importance of leaving a lasting impression at camp will be something that Smoskowitz and his coaching staff will be looking for.
Those who do could be that first call when the team is short players. All of a sudden, they can get their feet wet in the OHL and put themselves in a great position to make the team down the road.
“It could be two or three, four days these guys are here for and every shift and every second counts, and we’re just looking for consistency, for compete and for the way you carry yourself off the ice as well as leadership qualities,” said the coach. “Do you look someone in the eyes when you’re shaking their hand, do you present yourself well in a meeting. There are so many things that go into it, but there are definitely spots up for grabs, and, if you do not get one of those spots this year, it means you can’t leave here without making a lasting impression for the following years.”
Over the years, the Colts have had players who came in as unknowns and put themselves on the radar with a strong camp. Andrew Mangiapane was a free agent invite and is now a regular NHLer.
Who will be that one player who forces coaches to take notice of him at this year’s training camp?
“The best part about that is you never know who that guy is going to be,” said Smoskowitz. “Maybe you get some eyes on a video of a player who had a big season, so maybe you have his name circled on your list, but there’s always that guy who (surprises).”
Someone like Erik Bradford. Smoskowitz remembers his playing days in Barrie when Bradford surprised many at training camp.
“He was a later pick, you definitely didn’t hear a lot about him and his point production, and there wasn’t a lot of hype around him, but he came into that camp and made sure you noticed him,” said Smoskowitz. “He was scoring goals, he was blocking shots, throwing his weight around, got into a couple of scraps, and right away he earned himself a contract.
“I read the other day he set a new point record for the team (Kalamazoo Wings) he’s playing with in the East Coast Hockey League. There’s always that surprise, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing who that player is going to be this year.”
ICE CHIPS: The Colts acquired overager Calvin Crombie from the Brantford Bulldogs in exchange for a 2027 10th round selection. The forward has 20 goals and 57 points in 115 OHL games, including nine points in 17 playoff games.
2025 BARRIE COLTS TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
Open to the public
Tuesday, August 26
9:00–10:30 p.m.: Scrimmage – Navy vs. Gold
10:45–12:15 p.m.: Scrimmage – White vs. Red
2:15–3:45 p.m.: Scrimmage – Navy vs. White
4:00–5:30 p.m.: Scrimmage – Red vs. Gold
Wednesday, August 27
9:00–10:30 p.m.: Scrimmage – White vs. Gold
10:45–12:15 p.m.: Scrimmage – Red vs. Navy
2:00–3:30 p.m.: Scrimmage – 3rd Place vs. 4th Place
3:45–5:15 p.m.: Scrimmage – 1st Place vs. 2nd Place
Thursday, August 28
Annual Blue vs. White Game at Sadlon Arena
Free admission for fans, with hot dogs provided for all attendees.
5 p.m. – Doors Open
6 p.m. – Puck Drop
