Prince Rupert Rampage are returning to the ice with redemption on their minds and lofty ambitions in their sights.
The team dominated last year’s Central Interior League’s (CIHL) regular season, winning the western division, though slumped to a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Hazelton Wolverines.
However, president Brett Stava said an influx of new players means he is optimistic for the upcoming season.
“There’s a little bit of new talent,” he said. “Sounds like there’s a few guys that have moved to town who played junior hockey and lots of guys returning.”
For defenceman Reid Lindsay, the upcoming season is one that looks promising. Stava reckons Lindsay is “probably the best player in the league.”
”It’s going to be good,” Lindsay said. “We’ve got a couple of new faces coming back, guys that have played in the past that are going to come help us with a little bit of size.”
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Captain Kory Movold said last year’s disappointing end to the season will provide ample ignition for the highly-ranked team.
“We owe it to [the fans] for last year for the way we finished,” he said. “So we’re coming out with a little bit of vengeance and we’re going to try to put on more of a show this year.”
Stava said the team will be in tip-top shape for the season, with plenty of training and conditioning sessions to warm them up before a long and tough season ahead.
The Rampage start their new season against the Wolverines on Sept. 30, Truth and Reconciliation Day. Stava said there will be traditional dancing and ceremonies before the game, something he and the team are excited about and proud of.
In August, the Rampage teamed up with the Prince Rupert Cancer Talent Auction Group to raise $107,000 to provide the Prince Rupert General Hospital with three new cancer detection scopes.
Forward Judd Repole led the team in scoring with an impressive 30 points in 15 games last regular season, according to hockey data website pointstreak.com.