Just eight players are returning from last year’s squad as the Nelson Leafs released their final roster Thursday.
Forwards Cleary Ambrose, Eamonn Miller, Andy Fitzpatrick, Sam Weber and Kolten Nelson are back, as is defencemen Zach Morey, Aigne McGeady-Bruce and Dash Thompson. Blue-liner Brendan Makay, who filled in part-time as an affiliate player last season, will also start the season with the Leafs.
Off-season acquisitions Sawyer Hunt, Jason Sandhu, Dale Howell and Austin Steger also made the team. The Leafs also feature five Nelson natives in Hunt, Weber, Colum McGauley, Ben Kelsch and McGeady-Bruce.
Nelson, which finished the pre-season undefeated through four games, opens the season Friday on the road against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks before visiting the Braves in Spokane on Saturday. The Leafs play their home-opener Sept. 16 against the Braves.
See below for the full lineup:
Forwards
Sawyer Hunt, Kolten Nelson, Dale Howell, Ryan Piva, Sam Weber, Andy Fitzpatrick, Colum McGauley, Eamonn Miller, Jack Karran, Cleary Ambrose, David Lenzin, Spencer Selby, and Charlie Wilkie.
Defencemen
Dash Thompson, Aigne McGeady-Bruce, Austin Steger, Zach Morey, Jacob Karran, Brendan Makay, and Brent Headon.
Goaltenders
Jason Sandhu and Ben Kelsch.
