BRAMPTON, Ont. – While a veteran, centre Jamie Lewis entered his first Brampton Battalion training camp this week.

After his rights were acquired in a trade with the Niagara IceDogs last Oct. 7, Lewis stepped right into the Battalion lineup, logging important minutes. Now he has embraced the responsibility of leadership with respect to some of the younger players.

“It’s great seeing how hard they’ve been working over the summer and the shape that everyone is in,” Lewis said Friday, the second day of on-ice sessions at the camp. “I’m trying to show them that they need to work hard in every area of the ice, whether it’s in practice or in a game.”

The Toronto native appeared in 63 games as an Ontario Hockey League rookie with the Battalion last season, contributing six goals and 13 assists for 19 points and adding two goals in eight postseason games. Lewis, who played regularly in all situations, said he feels that his second year will bring an added level of confidence.

“I got the jitters out last year. It’s definitely going to be easier this year too because I know all the players and there’s already chemistry there.”

Lewis said that, despite the summer break, returning players should have no problem picking up where they left off in May.

“Having been friends with the guys through last year and all summer, we’ve kept in touch. It has definitely helped to build off what we developed last season.”

Despite his diminutive stature of five-foot-eight and 178 pounds, Lewis is no stranger to the harder areas of the ice. He kept that in mind when it came time for offseason training.

“I made sure to hit the gym as much as I could so that I could be stronger for the season.”

Adding strength to his frame wasn’t the only goal.

“I also spent a lot of time on the ice working on my shot,” noted Lewis. “I wanted to improve on my release. I found that there were times last year where I wasn’t able to get it off as quickly as I needed to.”

Despite being a returning player, Lewis knows he’ll have to earn his ice time and is ready for the challenge.

“I only expect what I deserve. If I’m playing good, I hope to be on the ice more. I don’t expect to get the ice time unless I earn it.”

Lewis recognized the hard work put in by those looking to earn spots.

“It’s definitely a challenge for the young guys because they’re working their tails off for a spot out there.”

Camp continues Saturday with the third and final intrasquad game at 9 a.m.

The Battalion opens its five-game exhibition schedule at 2 p.m. Sunday at Waterloo, Ont., against the Kitchener Rangers before hosting the Rangers at 2 p.m. Monday.

GAME SUMMARY

LINEUPS

TEAM GREEN

Eric Pitcher, Jake Kment, Matej Machovsky, Sam Smagala, Mark Raycroft, Marcus McIvor, Spencer Abraham, Landon Gareau, Zach Bell, Sal Filice, Nick Legault, Mathew Thompson, Zachiary Pease, Derek Froats, Brennan Feasey, Emerson Small, Bryce Abraham, Jamie Lewis, Nick Paul, Sean Perichak, Mathew Santos, Drake Board, Garrett James.

TEAM WHITE

Jake Smith, Taylor Welsh, Lee Doherty, Nick Clark, Wade Kropp, Brooks Nelthorpe, Shawn Tessier, Dylan Blujus, Kyle Wood, Cameron Wind, Brandon Robinson, Patrik Machac, Connor Jarvis, Mike Amadio, Blake Clarke, Matt Bragagnolo, Jake Derkach, Brenden Miller, Calvin Gomes, Mitch Amante, Jay Ritchie, Geoff Bezruchko, Alex Mutton.

RECAP

Second-period goals by Nick Paul and Garrett James proved the difference in a 4-2 victory by Team Green over Team White in the second intrasquad game of the camp.

Green goals: Small, Perichak, Paul, James.

White goals: Jarvis, Gomes.

BATTALION NOTEBOOK: OHL officials Mike Zujko and Jean-Carlo Cedrone worked the game, which was played in three 25-minute periods on the ice pad in the Powerade Centre’s spectator bowl ... A total of 46 players dressed for the intrasquad game, as veteran forwards Barclay Goodrow, Matt MacLeod and Nicholas Foglia were given the session off ... Team Green was 1-for-1 on the power play, as Sean Perichak scored in the first period with White’s Kyle Wood off for crosschecking. Team White went 0-for-3. Green’s Derek Froats, Landon Gareau and Brennan Feasey served minors in the third period for a head check, hooking and slashing respectively. Gareau and Feasey were in the box for the final 1:39, giving White a two-man advantage in a futile effort to draw close ... Six goaltenders again played a period apiece. Green veteran Matej Machovsky gave up one goal in the first period before Jake Kment blanked White shooters in the second. Eric Pitcher allowed one goal in the third frame. For White, starter Jake Smith surrendered two goals. Taylor Welsh allowed two in the middle period before Lee Doherty denied Green shooters in the final period ... White’s Blake Clarke left the game with a sore shoulder, and Green’s Mathew Thompson departed after a collision in the neutral zone ... Ryan Oulahen again manned the bench for Team Green, while fellow assistant coach Jason Ward ran Team White ... White won the first intrasquad game by a 5-4 count Thursday.