The puck is set to drop on a new season of Jr. C hockey for the McLean & Dickey Orillia Terriers, who have already built some momentum.
The Terriers won a tournament in Alliston over the weekend, wrapping up the preseason with a record of 7-0. Head coach Dalyn Telford says his squad is feeling confident heading into Friday's season opener on the road versus the Alliston Hornets.
"We played some good teams and beat some good teams," he said of the pre-season tournament "We competed with some perennial contenders in the Provincial Junior Hockey League."
It was important for the Terriers to get off to a good start coming off an injury-plagued season where the team was displaced from its home rink at Rotary Place for several months.
"It was a tough year for the team," Telford said. "Not to make excuses, but a lot of things went wrong for us last year. We've turned the page now."
The goal for the season is a "Schmalz Cup appearance or bust," Telford says.
"We have a really strong core of returning players coming back," he said. "The young kids we've added showed really well in the pre-season."
Having most of their roster returning this season, Telford says the Terriers will have a veteran team.
"We have guys who have been through playoff rounds before," he said. "They know what it takes to win in the playoffs, they have maturity, and it showed in the preseason."
The Terriers will be without their top goal scorer from last season, Josh Brown, who aged out of the league. When it comes to scoring this season, Telford says everyone will have to contribute to fill the void of Brown.
"It's going to be more spread out," he said. "Almost everyone on the roster had at least one point in the preseason."
The Terriers will also be without their number one goalie from last season, Reed Spinola, who has "hung up his skates."
"He was great," Telford said. "He was one of the best teammates and locker room guys I've ever coached."
The Terriers have added rookie goaltender Brody Pritchard. They have also added Jude Rondina who finished the 2023 playoffs with a 10-0 record, 1.97 goals against average, and .921 save percentage for the Clarington Eagles.
"It's hard to replace the skill of Josh Brown and the leadership of Reed Spinola," Telford said. "But we have."
The Terriers are hoping their pre-season success will continue this weekend when the games count for points.
"Anytime you come out of the gates strong it builds confidence and momentum," Telford said. "Two points in September as just as important as the ones in March."
The Terriers take on the Penetang Kings Saturday at Rotary Place for their home opener. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
