srooney@medicinehatnews.com

Rookies stood around waiting like sheep while the veterans chatted and laughed with their old teammates, on familiar soil again for the first time in months.

It was a familiar scene Tuesday as the Medicine Hat Tigers boarded a bus at the back door of The Arena, headed for team-building exercises in the Cypress Hills.

"Every year you kind of see the young guys step back and try to take it all in," said Tigers assistant coach Joey Frazer. "I'm sure they're a little nervous, like everybody was when they were young, so it'll be a good experience for them."

The team will spend two full days getting acquainted with one another before rookie camp begins Thursday night with a player and parent meeting at the Esplanade.

Even for those who have been through this drill before, it's never quite old hat.

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