Prospects Arrive in Butte for Montana Tech Hockey Evaluation Camp

BUTTE, Mont. — Montana Tech University hockey is wrapping up its second annual prospects camp, bringing players from Alberta to Ohio and California to campus for evaluation and exposure to the program.

“Prospects rolled in Thursday, March 26, got a rink tour and a prospect-exclusive on-ice evaluation, before heading over to the Vu Villa for pizza and a meet-and-greet with the players and staff,” said Tech head coach Dave Rathgeber.

Campus Tours, Team Activities Highlight Montana Tech Experience

Rathgeber added that Friday’s schedule included campus tours of both the Highlands and Main campuses, followed by an informational dinner for prospects and their families.

“They learned about the team, the ACHA, Montana Tech and Butte,” Rathgeber said. “Speakers included myself, Madeline Thomas, director of campus life, and Kehli Hazlett, director of tourism. Afterward, the prospects were split and blended with active roster players for one of two Friday night practice sessions.”

Inter-Squad Game Showcases Talent in Front of Butte Crowd

On Saturday, prospects toured the city before competing in an intersquad game in front of a crowd Saturday night.

The prospect game in Butte (Photo credit Lisa Schake)

International and Regional Players Build Diverse Recruiting Class

The camp featured 16 players from across North America, with the largest contingents coming from Alberta and Butte, each sending four players. Additional representation included three players from greater Montana and one each from British Columbia, North Dakota, Idaho, California and Ohio, giving the camp a strong regional base and international presence from Canada.

Montana Tech Hockey Continues to Develop Future Talent Pipeline

According to the program, there were no immediate commitments following the camp. However, several players have either been accepted to or are in the process of applying to Montana Tech, including four Canadian prospects and at least one local player from Butte.

The group consisted primarily of junior-level talent, along with six high school skaters. Of those, four skaters and both goaltenders came from the high school ranks, providing a mix of developing young players and more experienced junior prospects.