The Oceanside Generals have named the team leaders for their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League campaign.
The Generals, who last year lost in the league playoff final, are set to open the 2022-23 campaign against the Port Alberni Bombers at Oceanside Place on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7:15 p.m.
Head coach Dan Lemmon will rely on returning veteran players who were key in last year’s campaign.
“We have a team of experienced players coming back who helped us reach the finals last season,” said Lemmon. “We got so close but not quite getting it done. We’ve learned from last season and we plan to use our experience to get us back and get another shot.”
Carter Johnson, the VIJHL’s top forward last year, and Sean Brendeland will be the co-captains, with Nolan Kehoe and Brendan Carlson as assistant captains.
READ MORE: Parksville Panters to host popular annual three-day hockey classic
“I think both players will complement each other,” said Lemmon. “They both have strengths and weaknesses. Carter is a dynamic player in this league while Brendeland is a heart-and-soul guy. We have a veteran team and we wanted to make sure we have leadership by committee this season. Both guys are going to work together and bring us a championship, hopefully.”
The Generals have also been recruiting and trading for newcomers, who Lemmon said have gelled well with the returning players during pre-season preparations.
“We are hoping they can help push us to the top,” said Lemmon.
The Generals have recently signed defenceman from Newcastle, Australia, Ethan Hawes, who played for Team Australia at the 2022 Division 3 U20 World Junior Championships. They also took in Jordan Harvey from Nanoose Bay, who played for the U18 North Island Silvertips.
This season the new VIJHL schedule format has been reduced to 48 games to allow players more rest in-season and clubs to have more prime night home games.
Non-divisional opponents will face each other four times next season, up from two in 2021-22. Each non-divisional opponent will play two home and two road games against each other next season. The balance of the 48 games will be played inside the divisions.