A trio of big names are back for the Stampede.
Liam Stewart, Bert Haines and Aston Brookes have all returned to add quality to the Queenstown-based team.
It begins its New Zealand Ice Hockey League season tonight at home against the Canterbury Red Devils.
Stewart, the son of singer Rod Stewart, showed his class in winning the league’s most valuable player award two years ago.
Haines and Brookes return to add experience after three years away.
Stampede coach Cam Frear is glad to welcome that trio back.
"It’s good to add high-level players like that back into the squad," he said.
"We’re really lucky the core of our team have been together for the last five years."
Alongside the experienced group, Frear said the side had some exciting youngsters.
Among those were Max Macharg, Jack Robbie and Lachlan Frear.
The Stampede is the usual favourite for the league, given its impressive history.
It won the last full season in 2019, prior to last year’s Covid-adapted league in which it also proved to0 strong for the South Island teams.
Frear said the side was excited to get started, having waited two years to defend that title.
While that favourite tag could bring pressure with it, the side’s focus was largely on itself.
"I think during the year any team can win on the day.
"So we just kind of go through not worrying too much about the expectation.
"For us as a team it’s about getting better and as a team coming closer together and being more precise."
Tonight’s game begins at 6.45pm. It plays again tomorrow night at the same time.
