The Casselman Vikings opened their 2019-20 season with a trio of scrimmages on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of last week at the J. R. Brisson Complexe. Trying out for the Vikings was François Drouin who spent time with the Navan Grads playing 53 games, scoring three goals and four assists. Drouin looked good during the scrimmage along with a few new players for this season. Moore photo

CASSELMAN—The Casselman Vikings welcomed new and veteran players to their tryouts on Wed., Aug. 26-Fri., Aug. 30, at the J. R. Brisson Complexe. The Vikings were left with a bitter taste in their mouth after losing to the Ottawa Canadians in overtime of game seven of the CCHL2 2018-19 Martin Division final. The Vikings had won five consecutive championships prior to being eliminated last season and six of the last seven and they were raring to get on with their season with a lively and fast scrimmage.

The Vikings have plenty of returnees this season as they welcome back Shawn Patterson, Brandon Legare, Frederick Gagnier, Jason Cossette, Evan Boucher, Etienne Aguis-Pease, Kyle Green, Tyler Ballantyne, Adam Paquette, Antonio Silenu, Samuel Labre and goalie, Nicholas Campbell. Also joining the Vikings this season will be Maxime Desjardins, Zachary Fournier, Justin Gregoire, Mikael Houle and Zachary Power. Back behind the bench will be Michel Ruest as head coach, Geoff Seguin as assistant coach, equipment manager, Vincent Bouchard and trainer, Richard Bosse. Returning as general manager is Raymond Lavergne and assistant and general manger/president, Sylvain Dignard.

The Vikings kick off their exhibition season with a tilt with the Embrun Panthers at the J. R. Brisson Complexe in Casselman on Thurs., Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. and the Char-Lan Rebels on Tue., Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m. before travelling to the Palais des Sports in Embrun on Wed., Sept. 11 to take on the Panthers at 7:30 p.m. and then on to the Char-Lan Recreation Centre on Sat. Sept. 14, at 8 p.m.