The Point Edward Pacers will open their OLA Jr. B Lacrosse season on Saturday night at home to the Six Nations Rebels.
General Manager Tom Quinn is looking forward to getting started and said there's a sense of optimism in the air.
He notes they dressed 13 or 14 rookies each game last season.
"Everyone seems excited. We're expecting and hoping that we make the playoffs. We want to continue building on the last couple seasons where we went from two wins and then five wins," said Quinn. "So we're hoping to break that .500 mark and find ourselves in the playoffs."
Quinn said although a few players from last year have graduated, they've brought in a new crop of talent to add to the familiar faces returning.
"Last year, our team was led by Josh Manning on the score sheet, and I think he's going to continue that. He's an elite player in our league," he said. "Lucas Ross, Kaia Pierce will have a big season, and obviously hoping Mason Brown can chip in and build on his offense last year. On the back end, we have Teison McGregor leading the way, and Carson Crawford. A lot of guys just another year older, another year of maturity, so we're hoping that. Austin Dalgety is our goalie. He's a solid goalie, one of the top goalies in the league, I would say."
Quinn said they have a new coaching staff in place for this year.
"We brought back Pacer alumni and, I think he played for seven years in the NLL, Kevin Fines," he said. "On his staff is Justin Durston from Wallaceburg, Drew Candy from London, also an NLL champion with the Toronto Rock, and Ty Belanger is helping with our defense and goalie, also a National League Lacrosse alumni. All guys are former Sarnia Beavers Senior B guys, so they are familiar with the area and a lot of the families."
Quinn is confident the kids can learn quite a bit.
"The X's and O's are one thing. It's the little intricacies of the game that anytime you have a new voice and a new view on something, if the kids can just be sponges and pick up all the little things, it helps leaps and bounds," said Quinn.
Friday's game will get underway at 7 at Point Edward Arena.
Other teams around OLA Jr. B Lacrosse include the Wallaceburg Red Devils, Windsor Clippers, London Blue Devils, and Owen Sound North Stars.
A link to the Pacers' full schedule can be found on the league's website.
