The Hamilton Steelhawks will open up their second season in the Allan Cup Hockey league on Saturday night when they host one of their crosstown rivals the Dundas Real McCoys at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena.  Hamilton will look to improve on their 3-19-2 record from their inaugural season with ten returning players.

Some of the players returning for the 2016-17 campaign include Cody Wilson, Steve Guzzo, Kevin Rebelo, Frankie Grandits and Kyle McQuade.  Also returning is Mitch McCrank who joined the organization at the beginning of February and played four regular season games in which he collected eight points (5-3). 

Among the new players joining the Steelhawks are Jordan Gignac, Joe Tolles, Steven Trojanovic and Josh McQuade.

Gignac joins Hamilton after splitting last season with Vanersborgs Hockey Club in Sweden and the Stoney Creek Generals.  In 13 games with the Generals Gignac picked up five goals and added eight assists.  Prior to last season the Hamilton native played CIS hockey for Brock University.  Over 125 games in the CIS he would 29 goals while helping on 30 others.

Tolles comes to the Steelhawks with a wealth of pro experience after playing for teams in the SPHL, CHL and ECHL since the 2010-11 season.  Last season he picked up eight assists in 26 games with the Fayetteville FireAntz in the SPHL.

Trojanovic, a native of Burlington Ontario, played the previous two season in the CIS with Saint Mary’s and Queen’s University.  Prior to that he spent time in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires, Peterborough Petes and Guelph Storm where he amassed 108 points over 256 games and 213 penalty minutes.  During the 2013-14 season Trojanovic was part of the Guelph team that won the Memorial Cup in London.

Josh McQuade joins his older brother this season as he returns to Mountain Arena where he played part of the 2007-08 OJHL season with the Hamilton Red Wings along with Wilson.  Since turning pro the younger McQuade has spent time in the SPHL with the Fayetteville FireAntz and the ECHL Brampton Beast.  Last season with Fayetteville Josh lead the SPHL with 44 assists and second in the league with 65 points.

Opening night ceremonies will begin at 7:30 PM Saturday night at Mountain Arena when the Steelhawks host the Dundas Real McCoys.

Fans wishing to order season tickets for the upcoming season can visit the team’s website at hamiltonsteelhawks.com and fill out the form on the home page and select one of three season ticket packages.  Single game tickets for all Hamilton Steelhawks home games are available for purchase at the team’s website www.hamiltonsteelhawks.com or at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena on game day.