The Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves are still a week or two from finalizing their roster for the 2015-2016 Great North Midget League (GNML) season, but already, expectations are high.

It's all part and parcel of the off-season shuffling that sees the Nickel City Major Midget "AAA" Sons taking a "leave of absence" from the GNML, as the long-established loop looks to welcome a pair of Minor Midget AAA entries into their fold.

The Sudbury market will still be home to a pair of Great North Midget League teams, but with the Sudbury Minor Midget "AAA" Wolves rounding out the local duo, the Nickel Caps will have a greater selection of talent at their disposal than would otherwise be the case.

Of course, that is easily offset by the glut of junior franchises now residing in Northern Ontario, but that is a story for a different day. For now, coach Peter Michelutti Jr and company will assess the players that show up at tryouts, the first of which started last night at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Arena.

Though the Nickel Capital Wolves graduated seven players from their 14-15 roster, with others also moving on, there will remain a returning nucleous, among which sits versatile forward Kyle Liinamaa, who also manned the point on the power-play from time to time.

"I'm going to try and be a leader this year," said Liinamaa. "Hopefully, I'll get a letter." An under-sized centerman/right winger, the Sudbury product plays a "thinking man's" game, using his foot-speed to the full advantage that the Countryside Complex provides.

With a year of GNML play under his belt, he offers some thoughts on how the locals might advance further than their semi-final appearance last winter. "We need to stay more focused, get more prepared for the games, take it more seriously," suggested Liinamaa.

"And we have to keep things simple." With more than half the team likely to make their inaugural appearance, this year, in the northern midget "AAA" league, players are sure to have plenty on their minds.

Goaltender Justin Richer spent a season playing minor midget "AAA" hockey last year, knowing the challenge that now lies ahead. "I need to play further out," admitted Richer.

"I play too deep in my net too much, and I'm a shorter guy. Players have developed harder shots, more accurate. I have to make myself look bigger." And then there are the quasi-hostile crowds the Sudbury crew encounters when they are out-of-town.

"I like playing in Kapuskasing," said Liinamaa with a smile. "It's a small town, they fill the rink up, and the fans are pretty wild."

The Nickel Capital Wolves will play host to the North Bay Trappers on (Thursday) September 3rd in a pre-season game, with points counting for real when the Kapuskasing Flyers make a visit to Sudbury on September 12th and 13th.