The Broncos will crack the lid on their 46th season Saturday night as Notre Dame visits the Elgar Petersen Arena.

A strong pre-season has created a little bit of buzz in the city, they won three of their five exhibition games while scoring 23 goals. They allowed 15 over the week long schedule which featured different line-ups each contest including in goal, that is par with all clubs during that stretch.

The team has now but solidified themselves for the start when the Hounds visit with likely late cuts and rearranging here or there.

Third year forward Logan Schatz says everything has a different feel this year under second year coach Darcy Haugan.

"Just coming in to camp with all the guys that we brought back and the guys that we brought in from trades, it's exciting times. Everybody was itching to get back, it was one of the best camps we've had in the last couple years. That makes me excited to get back into things."

The offence should be led by the 19 year-old Allen product. He led the team with 56 points, he will have plenty of help with returnees Daniel McKitrck(22 goals), Trevor Posch(20 goals) Michael Korol(24 points)and Chris Van Os-Shaw, he had 10 goals in just 16 games last year after being acquired for hometown hero Jarrett Fontaine.

The rebuild is in full motion, Greg Moro's return in a number of trades back and forth essentially landed Humboldt 19 year-old defenseman Stephen Wack. The 6'5" blue-liner wasn't in camp but he is now on the roster. They also acquired 20 year-old power forward Luke Kempf from Sherwood Park. He had three goals in three pre-season games. Matthieu Gomercic has also impressed at camp, he was picked up from Steinbach for Anthony Kapelke. 20 year-old rugged rear-guard Parker Wakaruk also came as advertised in the pre-season. He came over from Grande Prairie for future considerations.

Other veterans looking to take strides in their second years are Rock Ruschkowski, Nic Malenica, Laramie Kostelansky and Josh Roberts. Cracking the forward group for the opening day roster is Brayden Camrud(98), Kobe Scott(98), Dante Raposo(97), Josh Fletcher(98).

"Darcy came in last year, it was a struggle for sure with another new coach in two years and it's always tough learning new systems, new things from each coach," Schatz continued.

"Just that comfort level with the vets coming back, I think that's going to show big this year."

On the back end they have the newcomers from Alberta joined by four year stalwart Connor Swystun. Logan Boulet has returned a year older and stronger looking for more ice time as a 19 year-old. Humboldt product Tyler Leier and Saskatoon's Brody Doepker, both 19 years-old will hope to get more games in this year as well, Doepker suffered an injury that kept him out for the entire season a year ago. He appears healthy and is working hard to get back in to game shape. Two 18 year-olds, Zachary Roy and Brady Park played well enough at camp to make the team as did potential anchors for years to come, 1999 born Xavier Labelle and Antonio DiPaolo. The pair are still midget age but the Broncos believe they are too established to play their last season of minor hockey.

Perhaps the most pivotal off-season trade Haugan made was sending Andrew Thompson and Drew Warketine's rights to Whitecourt for 20 year-old goaltender Garrett Mason, he looked very sharp in two preseason games, he stopped 16/16 in half a game in Melville, that was followed by a home ice win over Melfort. He is expected to carry the load with formidable back-up Carter Seminuk(97).

Face-off is 7:30 but the team is hosting a tail gate party that starts at 5:30 with One Track Mind performing live as well.

All the information is here.

You can hear more from Schatz below.