Expectations are rising for the new-look St. Albert Merchants in the Capital Junior B Hockey League.
The roster of three netminders, eight defencemen and 13 forwards is strengthened by 11 newcomers to the fourth-place 21-16-1 finishers in the west division.
“We’re going to be extremely competitive. Looking at our roster compared to the previous years we’ve made a ton of solid additions and we’re definitely in a good spot going into the season,” said Zach Rodda, the new head coach of the Money Men.
Kole Bryks and Daniel Spatafora, a pair of defencemen, are the team’s overagers as teams are allowed to carry four 21-year-olds.
“We have a good core group of players that is spread over in years which is really nice,” Rodda said.
The pre-season provided Rodda with a strong indication of how the Merchants will shape up in league play.
“We’re going to be extremely fast up front. We have a ton of speed,” Rodda said. “Our defence is big, they’re mobile and they’re pretty hard to play against.
"We’ve also been surprised by some good goaltending. We have three guys in camp that are competing really hard.”
The netminding hopefuls are Brandon Boughen (10-6, 4.04 GAA), a returnee, Ty Steinbring of Barrhead and Colton Iwaschuk, who has KIJHL experience.
“It’s going to be a tough decision but it’s a good decision to have with three guys pushing each other,” Rodda said.
Offensively, the return of Ryan Cooper “definitely helps,” said Rodda of the former Merchant who spent last seasons with the Nelson Leafs in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League where he registered 22 goals, 41 points and 73 penalty minutes in 44 games, plus six goals and 12 points in 16 playoff games.
The captain of the 2015/16 midget AAA St. Albert Raiders ranked second in points with 44 while potting 15 goals in 37 games in his rookie campaign with the Merchants.
Cooper will be counted on to help replace the offensive production with the departures of Matt Havens (20 goals, 59 points), Brendan Passek (15 goals, 32 points) and Cam Mazur (19 goals, 31 points).
Peter Corrigan (14 goals, 37 points), Jack Langenhahn (14 goals, 34 points) and Sam Milner (13 goals, 28 points) will also help fill the offensive void.
“We have enough skill and speed to create a lot of chances and offence off that,” Rodda said.
However, the main focus, similar to the last two seasons, “is to work hard with our defensive game,” Rodda said. “Our goals against and goals for were the same (at 150 while averaging 3.95 per game) last year so we want to take care of our own zone and play a solid defensive game.”
Cuts will eventually be made to the 24-man roster that was unveiled in Friday’s home-opener against the Beverly Warriors. The score was unavailable at press time.
“Beverly is the team that beat us out last year so hopefully we can send a little bit of a message to them,” Rodda said of the best-of five quarter-final sweep by Beverly.
The game also featured the unveiling of the team’s 35th anniversary edition jerseys.
“It should be a very exciting night,” Rodda said.
Sunday the Merchants face off against the Edmonton Mustangs at 8 p.m. at Bill Hunter Arena.
The next home game is Friday against the rival Morinville Jets at 8 p.m.
