As the Jamestown Ironmen ready themselves for the start of the 2012-2013 North American Hockey League season, there will be some familiar faces alongside a bunch of newly acquired talent.
The Ironmen's home schedule kicks off tonight at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena and will present a huge challenge for the home team as it will be up against the Port Huron Fighting Falcons. Port Huron, which is in the same division as the Ironmen, won the division last year while posting an impressive 10-2 record versus Jamestown.
Head coach Dan Daikawa has stressed the importance of this early season matchup to his players, and has been impressed by their practices this week leading into the games this weekend.
On Wednesday, Daikawa and his coaching staff named the team captains. Defenseman Brett Szajner, who is a returning from a major knee injury that kept him out half the season last year, has been named team captain. The two assistant captains are returning forward Luc Gerdes, who was an early addition last season and has become one of the leading scorers for the Jamestown team, and newly acquired forward Ross Pavek.
"Everyone on the team is expected to prepare, perform, and carry themselves as leaders, Daikawa said. ''The veteran players don't need a 'C' to be leaders. Good leadership will help guide us throughout the rest of the season."
The Ironmen are set for two games at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena against the Fighting Falcons, starting at 7 tonight and finishing up on Saturday with a start time of 5 p.m.