Not ones to dwell on the past a new look but experienced Junior Dolphins will hit the ice for the first time this weekend at the Etobicoke Exhibition Series. As an added benefit for the team this year the Series will take place on home ice at the Ford Performance Centre.

For Head Coach Joe Butkevich it will be an opportunity to see what the squad, that features seven returning players and five that played with other U22 Elite teams last season, looks like this year.

"It's a new season and a new team,” said Butkevich. "There are some familiar players that we saw on both sides of the puck last year. We also have some that are new to this level. Collectively they are excited to get started and this weekend gives us the chance to start moving forward.”

Some of those players that competed against each other last season had the opportunity to skate together this summer in the Under-18 Summer Series. Six Dolphins dressed for Team Canada and one with Team USA in the three-game series.

In addition to the Summer Series, eight players were invited to the OWHA’s Under-18 High- Performance Camp, two to Team Atlantic’s High-Performance Camp and one to Hockey Alberta’s Under-18 Team Camp. Furthermore, two players who both saw time with the Junior Dolphins last season as call-ups from Etobicoke’s U18AA Team, represented the Club at the Ontario Summer Games.

“A number of our players had the chance to participate in high performance hockey this summer,” noted Butkevich. “Collectively we had 14 players participate in National and Provincial programs. We’re hopeful that translates well for them and us this season.”

The Dolphins will start early on Saturday, August 31when they take on the Brampton Canadettes at 8am. Their second game of the day is set for a 4pm contest with Limoilou College. Etobicoke will close out the three game series on Sunday, September 1 when they face-off against Ridley College at 9am.