The Osoyoos Coyotes will be a good, hard-working team according to its coach.
"We're gonna make teams play us straight up. We're not going to back down from anybody," said Ken Law, also the Coyotes general manager. "We're going to have the skill level to compete with every team. It's going to be one of those teams that are going to thrive off a little bit of pressure."
With a returning group that includes captain and leading scorer Rainer Glimpel, some of the new additions for the Coyotes includes Penticton's Scott Robinson and Osoyoos Minor Hockey product Evan Loura. Robinson was acquired from the Sicamous Eagles in the off-season and is a big body (six-foot-five, 210 pounds) who moves well.
"He's hard to knock off the puck. He's got a knack around the net," said Law, adding Robinson gets shots off that others can't.
Loura, 16, returned from the Prince George Spruce Kings camp and Law said he will be very good.
"He's got a little bit to learn. He's eager and will do whatever it takes to be that player," he said.
Offensively, the Coyotes will need everyone to chip in, but Law likes that everyone is focused on the team. He also said there is emphasis on defence with players willing to block shots. Like last year, the Coyotes will have strong goaltending. Brett Soles will share the crease with Adam Jones. Soles posted a record of 21 wins, two losses and three ties. He also put up three shutouts with a 2.03 goals against average and .924 save percentage.
"With Soles returning as the No. 1, we know we got a guy that can stop the first shot," said Law. "If we can take care of any rebounds, any second opportunities, he will do well for us."
Jones is from Winnipeg and will push Soles for time. Law has the confidence to play him against any team.
The Coyotes captain is expected to lead the offence again and Law described him as "a wrecking ball out there."
"He's non-stop work ethic. He's our captain for a reason. He leads by example and was in top-10 in scoring last year."
On their Twitter account, the club announced that Brett Jewell signed with the BCHL's Merritt Centennials as did Tyler Holz with the Penticton Vees. Defenceman Nolan Zweep is starting the season with the Spruce Kings before returning. The Coyotes have also signed defenceman Mackenzie Wiens and forward Reid Wilson.