Veteran Gingera Excited To Get Season Underway

Derek Gingera can’t wait to begin his 4^th season of Junior hockey.  

After spending the past 3 seasons as part of the Selkirk Steelers organization, the 20 year old from Winnipeg was acquired by the Blues at the end of last season completing the futures deal that sent Adam Stoykewych to the Steelers back in January.

Training camp is set to get underway very shortly, and for the Winnipeg Blues it’s been a long wait coming off a disappointing 2010/11 campaign.   But Gingera likes what he sees heading into training camp.

“Last season, the Blues were a young squad for the most part, but now with a good core of returning players who are a year older, and combined with the off season acquisitions, I’m confident with the group we have heading into camp”

And confidence hasn’t been a problem for the high scoring forward. 

Last season was Gingera’s best of his junior career, lighting the lamp 33 times, while adding 27 assists.  And he’s confident the best is yet to come.

“Personally as a player I always want my next game to be better than my previous and I treat seasons just like that too.”

And coming so close to a league championship last season with Selkirk, losing in the final to the Portage Terriers, Gingera knows what it takes to win.

“Obviously the team goal is to win a championship but I expect us to compete every night, to be a playoff team and to contend for a championship”

The veteran of three previous MJHL seasons will no doubt bring leadership into a relatively young Blues dressing room, and Winnipeg GM and Head Coach Don Macgillvray just expects Gingera to continue to play the way he’s always played.

"Derek has shown the ability to put the puck in the net, and isn't afraid to go into the dirty areas to do it" adds Macgillvray.   "Combine that with being a great penalty killer and good hockey instincts who has played on a terrific Selkirk squad and his experience will definitely help our team"

The winger will bring a lot of speed and natural scoring touch to the Blues, along with being able to play comfortably in most situations. 

And Gingera, who credits Steve Yzerman as the player he tries to emulate, has been working hard in the off season to make sure he will be ready to play whenever coach Macgillvray calls his number.

“I have been enjoying my summer, getting on the ice and working out as much as possible” adds Gingera.   And with training camp coming soon, I’m trying to get into the best shape possible so I don’t need to do any catching up during camp.”

With the Blues coming off a disappointing season last year, you can bet most players, especially the returning ones, have been chomping at the bit to get back on the ice.  That also includes the Blues coaching staff.

"With main camp getting underway August 26th, there is obviously some excitement about a new season." says Macgillvray.  "I think as a coaching staff we are cautiously optimistic.  Alot of things can change in junior hockey but we are definitely looking forward to getting back at it with our group."

And for Gingera, Macgillvray, and the rest of the Blues, the good news is the wait is almost over.