SEASON PREVIEW: Klippers have opportunity to make 25th season special

The start of a new hockey season. It's always an exciting time for everyone involved – players, coaches, front office staff, fans.

The hype could be compared to finally unwrapping that big gift you've been eyeing down under the Christmas tree for so long. The anticipation has had a chance to build; you want to get a hold of it and see what's in store.

Something about this season seems even more special for the Kindersley Klippers.

Maybe it's the new players they have brought in or how the organization is celebrating their 25th anniversary this season. Whatever it is, this season has the potential to be a memorable campaign for west central Saskatchewan's hockey club.

As the Klippers prepare to open the 2017-2018 SJHL season tonight against the defending champions at the West Central Events Centre, let's take a look at a few key points.

Opportunity for new and returning faces to step up

The team lost players such as Branden Wagner (team-leading 47 points), Clive Rozdeba (lead Klippers defencemen with 36 points), and former captain Carson Pickett during the off-season due to their ages. To be honest, they were big losses since they made big contributions on the ice last season.

But with a core group of players from last year returning in the green and white, and new players joining from a bustling off-season, the opportunity is there for players to step in those crucial roles.

Jordan Funk, Cole Plotnikoff and Cody Hodgson are big pieces who will lead the Klippers attack this season. Hodgson (40 points in 49 games), Funk (31 points in 47 games) and Plotnikoff (35 points in 49 games) will have a tough task becoming as influential as Wagner was last season when it came to creating offence for the team. They surely have the potential to become not only forces to be reckoned with by defencemen across the league, but leaders for the squad's crop of talented forwards.

Tanner Thompson may become a fan-favourite among Klippers fans this season. The 20-year-old winger from Lethbridge exploded with the Nipawin Hawks in 2016-2017, leading the team with 24 goals along with teammate Michael Grant. Thompson did play 53 games for the Klippers the season previous, so some supporters should recognize his size on the ice.

Former Ice Wolves captain Curtis Peck will be another key piece on and off the ice for the squad. The Sturgeon County, Alberta product was acquired during the summer from La Ronge in exchange for forward Drayton Thunderchief. He lead the Ice Wolves in points last season, and with a fresh start in Kindersley, he will be looking to make a bigger impact for his new club.

On the other side of the ice, the chance to lead from the back is for the taking. The Klippers allowed 199 goals in 2016-2017, fourth most among the league's twelve clubs. Not to mention a league-leading 1717 penalty minutes. So, the coaching staff will look to bring those numbers down this season.

19-year-old defenders Josh Patrician and Tate Page are back to solidify the defence. Patrician plays a swift two-way game; his offensive touch will be a huge boost on the blue line. Opposing forwards will look to avoid Page's 6-foot-5, 230 lbs frame when approaching the Klippers' zone this year. He never shies to swing his weight around and he puts 110 per cent effort on the ice. Attention SJHL forwards: keep your heads up around this guy.

New acquisitions Taylor Derynck and Brendon Borbely will be able to step in and have a big impact on the team from the hop. Assistant general manager Tyler Orr expressed his excitement about these new defencemen during the pre-season. No doubt they were acquired for a reason.

Last, but certainly not least, the locals.

Three Kindersley boys will be representing their hometown team on the ice this season, and all three are returning from last season's roster.

Goaltender Justen Close showed a great amount of potential during his rookie year. The 19-year-old posted a record of 12-11-2 with a 2.93 GAA and five shutouts. Close will be looking to avoid the sophomore slump and elevate his game even further for the team he grew up watching at the West Central Events Centre.

Recent high school graduate Kyle Bosch will surely be trying to bring his game to the next level. In 2016-2017, Bosch recorded a line of 6-10-16 in 51 games while helping out on special teams. He swapped in his number 21 sweater to wear number 7 this year – maybe he's planning to emulate Ted Lindsay or Keith Tkachuk in the stats category.

Brody Ryberg will hold a larger role on defence this season as well. This will technically be his third season with the Klippers after playing 10 regular season games as an affiliate player during the tail end of the 2015-2016 schedule. Last year, Ryberg grabbed 5 points in 49 games.

The list goes on and on when analyzing this year's roster. Instead of reading about these players, consider checking them out for yourself at one of their home games this month.

To be honest, the organization has put together an electrifying roster for the 2017-2018 season. Expect this team to be in the playoffs again.

Home is where the heart is

The Klippers will start their 25th season with three of their six September games at their home – the West Central Events Centre.

Their first two games feature a home-and-home matchup against the defending-champion Battlefords North Stars. On Wednesday, the Klippers are back in Kindersley as they host another division rival in the Humboldt Broncos.

Following the Broncos will be the Estevan Bruins as they will be facing off during Goose Festival on Friday night. The Klippers finish their September schedule with neutral ice games in Saskatoon against Weyburn and Nipawin.

Below is the schedule for this month's games:

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