In less than a month, the Swan Valley Stampeders will hit the ice in game action for the first time. Just like every other team in the league, the Stampeders begin the 2020-2021 season on Friday, October 9 as they'll be up against the OCN Blizzard.
That evening's game will be the first of four straight against the Blizzard with two coming at the Swan River Centennial Arena while two will be played at the Gordon Lathlin. 40 games in all is what the league has come up with for the upcoming season with games almost exclusively on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday's. Swan Valley plays just two games that aren't on weekends.
40 games is 20 down from the normal total of 60 in a full season, but the number of games being played isn't an issue in the valley.
"Whether we play 40, 60, or 30, we're just excited that we're getting the opportunity to get going," said Barry Wolff, head coach, and general manager. "We certainly can't wait to get started, there will be a bit of a different feel, but we'll be ready."
Another change this year is teams have been split into three divisions of four. The Interior Division includes Neepawa, Portage, Virden, and Winkler. Playing in the Southeast Division is Selkirk, Steinbach, the Blues, and the MJHL's newest team, the Winnipeg Freeze.
The Stampeders will play in the Northwest Division alongside the Dauphin Kings, OCN Blizzard, and Waywayseecappo Wolverines. The Stamps' will play their divisional opponents eight times throughout the season while they will tangle with non-divisional opponents two times each. In a normal year, each team plays each team six times apiece.
"I mean it's only expanded two games against those three teams, it's not really a big deal I don't think," continued Wolff. "I think the biggest thing is you're playing one divisional opponent four times in a row, it's almost like a playoff series. The games are going to be exciting, everyone will be playing with grit and determination and that's what hockey is about."
The Club held its prospects camp a couple of weeks ago and preparation continues for main camp which is slated to begin next Friday with 34 players looking to crack the roster ahead of October 9. Three of the Stampeders top five scorers from last season aren't eligible to return as they've graduated while they traded away their fifth top scorer.
However, Luke Beerman who led the team with 18 goals and 39 assists last season is eligible to return this season. Mikael Foucher who was an all-star goaltender last year will also return for his final junior season.
Wolff has also added some strong talent this off-season which includes the acquisition of Haydn Delorme as the team looks to stay near the top of the standings, something they've been used to over the past couple of years.
"We had a really good prospects camp, it was an opportunity to get our young kids in," ended Wolff. "We're now really excited to get main camp going. We'll keep some of the young guys from prospects camp; we'll get the older guys here and get down to business."
Swan Valley's complete schedule for the season can be seen here.
