The Central Plains Capitals' conditioning camps came to an end last night at the PCU Centre.

All four Capitals teams took to the ice over the week to get players back into the swing of a AAA training schedule. Midget Caps' Assistant Coach Daniel Moar is really impressed with the midget skaters and their work ethic. Moar says the numbers are looking strong for future years.

"Really impressed with the amount of kids that have came out, I think we have 70 in all. The bantams, there are a lot of kids, which is a good upside for the next few years with the program and the guys that are coming up to midget. They all work hard and you can tell that they are starting to train, which is early but it's good."

The boys on the ice for conditioning camp with assistant coach Daniel Moar

The midget Caps struggled to earn wins last year, only snagging 8 of a 44 game season. Moar says the returning players are excited to get back on the ice and turn things around.

"The guys that played with us last year that are here, they're excited and raring to go. They've all worked hard in the off season and they've all been on the ice most of the summer. All the returning guys leave tomorrow for their respective junior camps like Steinbach, Winkler and Portage. A lot of guys are excited for that experience, but more to get back here and start working."

There weren't as many female skaters out for the camp as head coach Ferdi Nelissen would have liked -- but he's confident his team will compete hard this season. The Capitals female midget team has its try-outs this weekend, starting at 11a.m. tomorrow. The male midget try-outs are September 1st, and both are at the PCU Centre.