The Cochrane Generals camp kicks in to high gear later this afternoon for what's expected to be fierce competition for the 25 roster spots available.

Last night, a one hour practice was held for the six goalies vying for the three roster spots available for netminders, including veteran Gens goalie Erik Garber and Jordan Lott, who was a rookie last season.

The 39 players participating in the camp will be split into two squads and have skill practices tonight.

Saturday, the Gens kick off the first two of three intersquad games at 5 p.m.and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, the final game will be streamed live at 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning.

Head coach and GM Kurtis Jones says it will be a test run of what they hope will be regularly streamed games this season. Because of COVID-19 protocol, only 100 spectators will; be allowed in the stands for all of their home games.

"We want to stream games as much as we can possibly can," says Jones. "So, if they can't make it down to the rink, they can watch it at home."

This one will be free of charge to view and can be accessed by going to the Cochrane Generals Facebook page. Click here.

Final roster cuts won't be made at the conclusion of the camp, says Jones.

"We won't go down to our 25 immediately. We're going to be playing intersquad games throughout the week, and then probably by mid-October, we'll be down to our number."

The Heritage Junior Hockey League continues to adjust exactly how they will unfold the season.

Jones says the exhibition games they had originally planned to play against the Okotoks Bisons have now been shelved.

Now the league now aims to start their regular season a little earlier.

"We just had a town hall meeting with everybody, and they're just getting formats down for the league. We should be starting regular season play on Oct. 31.

Jones explains they will had periods of 14-day game blackouts to meet the protocol, and to pull off a 24-game regular season schedule, the sooner regular play starts the better.