WATERLOO - Ninety candidates took to the ice Thursday at Young Arena in hopes of earning one of 23 spots on the Waterloo Black Hawks' 2008-09 roster.

The four-day camp kicked off with a practice and a pair of games. It will continue through Sunday as head coach P.K. O'Handley, assistants Shane Fukushima, Derrick Johnson and Jason Dobes, along with several Black Hawks scouts, analyze every facet of play.

"We are looking for guys that can compete and fit our way of play," O'Handley said. "Obviously, we're also looking for good hockey players, but I think it's important when you're chasing championships year-in, year-out that you get the right guys."

Sixteen members of the Black Hawks' Clark Cup finals team are in camp. Michael Montrose, Keegan Meuer, Brock Montpetit, Brett Beebe, Joe Dillon, Joe Howe, Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Craig Smith, Mike Fink, Patrick Wey, Scott Pavelski and Eddie Olcyzk all are expected to skate.

Smith and Samuels-Thomas hooked up on a pair of tallies for the Black team during the second scrimmage Thursday.

"There are some guys who aren't protected here who at least on the initial view, are going to push some of the veterans," O'Handley said.

"Unfortunately, this has become somewhat of a business, decision-wise.

"There are kids who say, 'Well, I'm protected,' but they forget they have to deliver."

NHL draft pick Nick Larson will not participate in this week's main camp as he was participating in a Calgary Flames rookie camp.

"I think Nick has a pretty solid position on our team, so we let him go to Calgary for Flames camp," laughed O'Handley.

Scouts Maas Fukushima and Randy Montrose are in town, as are several former players, including Joe Pavelski, Matt Fornataro and 2007-08 captain Brett Olson.

"These are guys who know what we want," O'Handley said. "Joe, Matt and Brett … they are guys who have went through our system.

"I don't know if there is a kid going to a camp who could get a fairer shake than he is getting here. Each kid is getting a good look."

At the conclusion of each session this week, O'Handley said the staff will get together and talk about each of the 90 players participating.

"Like today, we're going to make some notes, but nobody has played their way in and nobody has played their way out," O'Handley explained. "Come tommorrow night (Friday) there will be guys who start to separate themselves, and we will start paring it down.

"I thought the level of play was good today, and it is only going to get better as the weekend gets longer."

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com