The Norman Northstars open their 25th-anniversary season this weekend with road games against the Central Plains Capitals, Pembina Valley Hawks and Interlake Lightning.
The 2009-2010 roster is almost evenly divided between returning players and newcomers, with key holdovers including Ryan Delorme, last year's most valuable player, as well as forwards Quentin Holmes and Cody Zulyniak, the leading scorers from last year's team and the only members of the Northstars among the league's top 60 scorers. Holmes, 17, had 10 goals and 23 assists to lead the team in scoring despite missing eight games with injuries. Zulyniak picked up three awards at the Northstars' season-end banquet, including rookie of the year, after leading the team with 21 goals and chipping in 10 assists in 43 games.
Other returnees include forwards Brett Ferguson, Roger Tagoona, Wayne Folster, Justin Valentino, Kenton Fayant, Jaron Campbell and Allan Meyer. Lorne Leslie and Zac Zales return on defence, along with Dylan Hykawy, who saw action in a handful of games last season after being called up from the midget AA King Miners.
Additions to the blue-line for this season include Dee McKee, Roy Ettawacappo Jr., Tyler Delyea and Austin Chiasson.
Rookie forwards are Cole Doak, Jesse Ewing, Trent Tootoo, Rylan Veitch and Dillon McCombie.
Mitchell Backhouse steps into the goaltending tandem with Delorme in place of last year's second netminder Cory Nygaard.
Behind the scenes, the Northstars organization is still seeking a new president to replace Rob Murray, who stepped down after last season. The position of vice-president was also open for much of the off-season before recently being split into two positions, with Colin Lowen stepping in as vice-president technical and Allyson McKie serving as vice-president administrative.
Ian Larsen has replaced Al Templeton as manager.
Two other positions have changed since the squad's April 29 annual general meeting, with Laurie Vallance becoming secretary and Marion Kuldys the treasurer.
The coaching staff is unchanged from last season.
The Northstars' home schedule opens Oct. 9 against the Southwest Cougars, the first game for the Northstars in the new C.A. Nesbitt Arena.
