The final steps towards another season of Midget AA hockey in Humboldt are underway.

After holding tryouts in late September, Head Coach Chris Hamilton says their roster is nearly complete.

"We had 20 skaters and five goalies come out. We have two cuts left to make after the game. The squad is looking pretty good so far."

The two-time defending Centre Four Hockey League and reigning provincial champions will have a bit of a new look on the ice this year.

Several players have been lost due to being overage, or moving on to play for AAA teams.

Still though, Hamilton is comfortable with the returning players, which he says centers around captain Morgan Gobeil.

"Having him come back as the captain, and the six veterans coming back that were here last year, knowing what it takes to win, they transfer that to the new guys and the team should be pretty good."

While there is a nucleus of players returning, there is more first-year midget players on the team than the year prior.

Hamilton says that having consistent leadership will help ease the process.

"That's huge for the new guys coming up. We're going to be a young team, we have a lot of first year midgets playing this year," he explained. "It's a different change from AA Bantam. It's a little bit bigger boys, a little bit faster, so that kind of transfer will be huge."

The first test will come Tuesday night, as they play host to Northeast in an exhibition game. It won't be in Humboldt however, as the team gets the honour of playing the first game in LeRoy at the brand new rink.

"I think the boys are excited. We don't like leaving the comfy EPA, we've had a pretty good record there in the past," said Hamilton. "To go to a new place, it will be interesting for us."

The Midget AA Broncos host Northeast in LeRoy on Tuesday.

After Tuesday's game, final cuts will be made, and then it is preparation for the start of the season, which won't come easy.

"The start to the season is going to be pretty interesting. We have nine games on the road and one in LeRoy and we don't play at the EPA until December," noted Hamilton. "If we can come out anywhere halfway, we'll be in pretty good shape."

The Broncos visit Battleford in their season opener on October 15, before heading to Prince Albert the following day.

Their technical home opener is November 6 in LeRoy against Saskatoon, with the first game at the Elgar Petersen Arena coming on December 10 against Midwest.

You can hear more from Hamilton below.