The SDSSAA Senior Boys Hockey league will be kicking off its 65th season on record for the 2003-2004 season on Tuesday, November 4th with Lo-Ellen facing Lockerby at Countryside Arena at 7:30pm, and Confederation facing off at Chelmsford at 8pm.

A total of eleven teams have entered the loop this season, two less than in each of the past two seasons, with Espanola and Macdonald Cartier electing to pass on this year.

Here are some team previews for the year:

CHELMSFORD FLYERS

Last year's record: 10-1-5, Div I Playoff Champs, Finished Fourth at OFSAA A/AA
Exhibition Record to date: 0-2-0
Coach: Jamie Morris

Coming off a second consecutive playoff championship, the Flyers will be hard pressed to continue their championship ways with a new coach and several new players in the line-up. The key word this season for Chelmsford will be "re-build". Look for much of the offensive load to fall on returning forward Shane Duguay, and returning netminder Bobby Mason will be have to be a workhorse as well. Says coach Morris, "We are in a rebuilding year, but we have a great bunch of guys who are going to work really hard."

LASALLE LANCERS

Last year's record: 9-4-3, Lost in Div I Final to Chelmsford
Exhibition Record to date: 2-0-0
Coaches: Erin McNamara, Peter Lucano

The Lancers were the surprise team of the year last season, coming from virtually nowhere to challenge for the Division I league championship, winning NOSSA and advancing to the OFSAA "AAA" championship. It's unlikely that they'll surprise anyone this year though; virtually everyone is picking the Lancers to contend for top spot. This theory was proven correct in their first exhibition games of the season, a 14-3 victory over the Cards and a 8-3 victory over the Vikings.

ST CHARLES COLLEGE CARDINALS

Last year's record: 10-5-1, Lost in Div I Semi Final to Chelmsford

Exhibition record to date: 0-1-1

Coaches: Mike Fox, Brian Ceppetelli, Bepi Polano, Scott St Jean

The Cards have few returning players from last year, however three new players to the team have had Junior "A" experience including Andrew Chevrier, Chad Goulet and Steve Lalonde. The Cards will rely a lot on former "AAA" goalie Dave DiCarlantonio. Says Fox, "We hope once our football players return to the team that they'll develop into a top four contender."

COLLEGE NOTRE DAME ALOUETTES

Last year's record: 14-1-1, Lost in Div I semis to Lasalle
Exhibition record to date: 2-0-0
Coaches: Ken Radey, Mike Paquette

Although new to the high school coaching ranks, Radey and Paquette boast over 16 years of coaching experience at the "AA" Midget level. Speed, strong defence, goaltending and discipline are key features to the Als line-up this year and will serve them well in spite of the fact that there are many new faces on the team this year. Coach Radey predicts, "We feel strongly that this team can finish in the top three this year."

LOCKERBY VIKINGS

Last year's record: 9-6-1, Failed to make Div I playoffs
Exhibition record to date: 1-1-0
Coaches: David Winsa, Jake Tapper

With huge numbers at try-outs and the bitter taste of disappointment in their mouths after failing make the Division I playoffs last year, the Vikings figure to be one of the teams to beat this years for the first time in many years. An 8-3 loss to the Lancers in the exhibition season indicates that there is some work to do. Says Winsa, "I like our chances this year to go all the way. The kids have impressed us with their work ethic and commitment and these two things can go a long way in this league."

ST BENEDICT BEARS

Last year's record: 7-8-1, Did not advance to Div I playoff
Exhibition record to date: 0-2-0
Coaches: Mark Burns, Jesse Maloney, Rob Lambert

Even though very early in the season, rookie coaches Burns, Maloney and Lambert like how the team has gelled. Key to their success this year will be returnee Chris Montgomery, third in Div A league scoring last year with 38 points. Coach Burns adds, "We have speed combined with size to make the Bears a tough team to play against."

MANITOULIN MUSTANGS

Last year's record: 5-9-2, Won Div II Championship in Final vs Lively
Exhibition record to date: 0-2-0
Coaches: Mike Meeker and Ray Corbière

The Mustangs will feature a balanced attack this year with all forward lines of equal strength. Similar to last year, look for quality goaltending as well. Says Meeker, "We look to finish fourth in the league and challenge in the Div I playoffs."

LIVELY HAWKS

Last year's record: 9-6-1, Lost in Div II Finals to Manitoulin
Exhibition record to date: 2-1-0
Coaches: Sean Gray, Rob Heittola

Still smarting after failing to make Division I last season, coaches Gray and Heittola are likely to buoy their charges from the outset. Forwards Kyle Gorman and Sam Caldbick will likely fuel the offence for the Hawks, while netminder Kevan Rumley has the ability to snatch victory from defeat in key games. Says Gray, "This year Lively should fare extremely well in the league with a strong offence, defence and goaltending."

LO-ELLEN PARK KNIGHTS

Last year's record: 5-9-2, Loss Div II Semi Final vs Lively
Exhibition record to date: 0-2-0
Coaches: Steve Caswell, Mark Toppazzini, Joel Tarvudd, Darryl Fabris

The Knights boast a good returning nucleus and will feature a lot of speed in their line up this year. Rookie coaches Tarvudd and Fabris will add a valuable player's perspective to the group. Says Head Coach Caswell, "We'll have our work cut out for us but we have a few outstanding players who will pull out some key victories along the way."

ESC L'HORIZON AIGLES

Last year's record: 9-7-0, Lost in Div II Semi to Manitoulin
Exhibition record to date: 2-1-0
Coaches: Denis Piquette, Pat Jutras

The Aigles' line-up will feature nine returning players with loads of high experience. In addition, eleven players have previous NOHA "AA" experience. Look for solid goaltending with two starting-calibre netminders and three solid forward lines. Piquette adds, "This team has no fear - very committed to making the Division I playoffs. A very disciplined squad."

CONFEDERATION CHARGERS

Last year's record: 4-11-1, Failed to make Div II playoffs
Exhibition record to date: 0-2-1
Coaches: Todd Zimmerman, Denis Brunette

The Chargers will welcome some key returnees to their line-up but will likely not avail themselves of their services until the end of football season. Scott Cliff, Paul Walker, Scott Zimmerman and Greg Ewin are all expected to be major contributors to the Charger effort this season. Says P.E. Program Leader Gilbert Briscoe, "With the new four year program, virtually all teams are facing major overhauls this year. It will be very difficult to predict how teams will fare."

An always interesting exercise, we asked the teams in the league to predict the final regular season finish this year. The results were totalled then averaged to arrive at the following overall prediction:

1st - Lasalle 7th - St Benedict
2nd - St Charles 8th - Manitoulin
3rd - Lockerby 9th - Horizon
4th - Notre Dame 10th - Lo-Ellen Park
5th - Lively 11th - Confederation
6th - Chelmsford

All teams will play a round robin format until January 10th, then split into two divisions based on the standings to that point in the season. The team that finishes in sixth position then has the choice of whether to play in Division I or II, with an interdivisional round robin then taking place until the playoffs begin, for both divisions, around February 17th.

Contact Person: Dave Makela, Media Centre - SDSSAA Boys Hockey Convener
Email: [email protected] <> Voice Mail: (705) 674-3171 ext. 1506
Direct Line: (705) 674-2150 <> Fax: (705) 675-1547

S.D.S.S.A.A. Website: www.rainbow.edu.on.ca/sdssaa