As his second season as coach of the Williams Lake Stampeders, Derek Walters said he hopes to see the team bouncing back from last year.
"We were pretty close to the top on everything. We were one goal away from winning the league and that close to making it to the Coy Cup final," Walters said before a team practice got underway Thursday evening at Total Ice Training Centre. "We have our goals in mind and know we can get there."
It's a long season, he said, adding they will have to take one step at a time.
"It's a big challenge but we are looking forward to it. It's really fun."
Former coach Cody Tent is back as an assistant coach along with Levon Durfeld.
Long-time player Kurtis Bond has retired and will also run an assistant coach job on the bench.
"He is still part of the team, but no longer playing," Walters said.
Other players who have retired are Danny Merth and Ryan Yaworski and Brendan Pigeon will skate into Bond's position as team captain.
"Big shoes for him to fill, but he will do a good job," Walters said.
Darcy Flaherty is returning for another season, having joined the team for the 2013/2014 season.
Growing up he played minor hockey and went on to play Junior B hockey in Creston for three years.
"I like coming to the rink," he said of what he likes about hockey. "It's always fun to see the guys and be part of the brotherhood."
An electrician by trade, Flaherty works for Cariboo Sterling Electric.
He's also engaged to be married next September.
A few new players have joined from 100 Mile House that are younger and should be "good impact players," for the team, Walters said, adding he is really looking forward to seeing everybody fit into their new roles.
This weekend the Stamps are travelling to play in Hazelton on Saturday evening, Oct. 12 and Smithers on Sunday, Oct. 13.
Their next home game is in Williams Lake on Saturday, Oct. 26 against the Prince Rupert Rampage when there the evening will acknowledge the community's first responders.
"It will be free entry for anyone who are firefighters, paramedics, nurses, doctors - all are welcome to come. They just have to show proof of employment. We just want to thank everybody for all their work over the summer and all the hard work during the fire season here."
Problems persist with the team's bus and while it is being looked at, Adventure Charters is helping them get to the games over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Volunteers for the team are always welcome, Walters said.
"Some of our volunteers and team members [when here] are helping run the beer gardens at the Mustangs home games," he added.
In their first home game of the season, the Stamps won 3-4 in overtime against the Quesnel Kangaroos.
