Local players drawn to Gamblers tryouts

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Gamblers are building their 2010-2011 team, which may include some players who’ve long counted themselves among the Gamblers faithful.

“Oh yeah, I've been nervous this whole week," said Bay Port High School’s Dylan Cleereman.

Cleereman is one of more than 100 players taking part in the Gamblers’ open tryouts. Of that group, around 30 will be invited to the second part of the tryout which will include veterans and draft picks.

Cleereman says his key in getting noticed is not trying to do too much.

“We're told to just play our game, but you always want to catch their eye, score goals and get assists and be in on every play," said Cleereman

It’s a similar strategy for De Pere’s William Reabe, who has the added challenge of being just 15, competing against guys up to 20 years old.

“It's intimidating when guys have 100 pounds on you, 60 pounds on you, it's pretty scary when they're coming full tilt at you and you have the puck,” said Reabe. “You just have to think fast, know where you're going with the puck."

Both players are drawn to the Gamblers winning tradition, but being close to home is just as important.

“I wouldn't have to travel far, I live like 7 minutes down the road,” said Cleereman. “It would be really great, my whole family would get to come watch me play."

“I've loved the Gamblers since i was like 6, to play for them would be one of my greatest accomplishments," said Reabe.

The players find out if they survive this round of cuts Monday night. Even if they don’t make the team this year, their performance could earn them an invitation to next year’s tryouts.

The tryouts run through Wednesday