The Dinos were off on Friday, September 22 for a two day retreat at a remote location in SE Alberta with team goals, competition, team challenges, and team unity as the focus for the exercise. Players, coaches, managers, and trainers will travel together and spend some time on the road to get to know each other a little better.On Friday, the Dinos will have a short scrimmage with Medicine Hat College Rattlers in Medicine Hat. Calgary are still waiting for the recovery of Ross Bekkering, out until next week with a hand injury, and freshman Logan Armstrong has a back problem which is keeping him off the court for now.

Practices have been going well and the newest Dinos are displaying some good form as they work in with returning veterans. Joseph Schow is working hard to knock off the rust of two years away from the game, and is impressing with his hard work and skills in the post. There is fierce competition amongst returnees Robbie Sihota, and Sonny Khangura as they are challenged by newcomers Schow and lefty Chris Unsworth, a strong presence inside as a 1st year player. Red shirt sensation Henry Bekkering is dominant in most drills with his quickness and power. He is working hard on his shooting touch, and sets a combative tone in practice. Returning perimeter starters Josh Feist, Cody Darrah, and Brian Finniss have looked sharp in leading the workouts. 2nd year point Tony Dhaliwal has been bothered with a sore back, but is expected back to drills next week. 4th year wing player Jeremy Odland has been pushing the starters every practice as he has stepped up his game. Transfer guard Joel Bancroft is proving himself a tenacious defender with the quickness to take the ball to the hoop, and freshman Dustin Reding, at 6′6″, a very tall wing player, has been knocking down shots with regularity. Jared Laird, a 6′5″ freshman has now settled on learning the wing position, and is making steady progress in team workouts.

The Dinos first CIS pre-season action will be October 12-14 in Ontario against McMaster, Guelph, and Brock Universities. Calgary will be at home at the end of October for the ‘Border Battle’ with Great Falls University, Montana Tech, Alberta, and Lethbridge.League play in Canada West follows the next week as the Dinos travel to UVic and UBC.