MidgetAAACanada.com - Canada's Most Comprehensive Midget AAA Network (Design, Hosting, Online Registration & Administration tools by esportsdesk.com)

KENSINGTON – It’s been a week of mixed emotions for Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild head coach Kyle Dunn.

It started off with the agonizing process of making the final five cuts to finalize the 20-player roster on Monday night.

“They are the toughest decisions,” said Dunn. “As a staff, we debated heavily on a lot of guys. . .

“It’s no fun. These kids came and battled hard for two weeks, and then you have to (release them).”

However, once that was done, which most coaches say is the toughest part of the job, Dunn turned his focus to the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League regular season. The Wild visits the Saint John Vitos on Friday night, and hosts the Miramichi Rivermen in their home opener at Community Gardens on Saturday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm around the rink right now,” said Dunn. “The team is picked, the players know we are hosting the Atlantics (in April 2015) and the guys are itching to get going.”

Roster

The 2014-15 edition of the Wild is comprised of 12 forwards, six defencemen and two goaltenders.

“You can expect an in-your-face style of hockey,” said Dunn. “We have a gritty team that’s going to bring their work boots every day.

“It’s going to be a battle every time. We’re going to make a team earn their win, or we’re going to earn ours.”

Goaltending

In goal, the tandem of Cameron Visser and Bradley Shea returns.

“We are going to have a great goaltending duel this year,” said Dunn. “We have two third-year goalies. . .

“Both will be competing for the No. 1 spot, and I think it’s going to be a good year for those two.”

Visser went 8-9 (won-lost) with a 3.26 goals-against average (GAA) and .913 save percentage in 20 regular-season games last year. Shea appeared in 18 contests, going 6-12 with a 4.78 GAA and .862 save percentage.

Defence

The Wild, who lost eligible defencemen Bailey Webster (Saint John, QMJHL) and Evan Millman (Summerside, MHL) to the junior ranks, returns four blue-liners. Parker Ronahan, Jesse Jay, Jesse Annear and Lucas Beaulieu will be joined by rookies Ryan Boswall and Jack DesRoches.

“We have a nice core group of guys returning on the back end,” said Dunn.

Forwards

There are seven returnees for the Wild up front – Cole Hackett, Max Morrison, Riley Gallant, Kyle Pinksen, Spencer Sherren, Colton Chaisson and Austin Taylor. Logan Toole and Chasse Gallant, who both played midget hockey last season, have cracked the roster along with rookies Brodie MacArthur, Taylor Read and Zach Thususka.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm around the rink right now. The team is picked, the players know we are hosting the Atlantics (in April 2015) and the guys are itching to get going.” Wild head coach Kyle Dunn

“I’m expecting a lot from our third-year guys like Max Morrison and Cole Hackett to lead the charge up front, along with a good second-year guy in Kyle Pinksen,” said Dunn. “We are going to lean heavily on those guys for sure for the offensive load.

“The rookies are very talented and have great hockey sense, MacArthur, Read and Thususka. We are going to get balanced scoring, but for sure we are going to lean on those big three up front.”

Forward Michael Evoy, who is still midget-aged, is playing junior A with Pictou County while last year’s top point-getter Sam Jay, Campbell Gallant, captain Abel Arsenault and Dillon Wall have graduated from the midget ranks.

Captains

Dunn said there has been no decision made on who will serve as captain and assistants.

“It’s a very important responsibility to wear a letter,” said Dunn. “We are going to take our time with that, and see who flourishes to that leadership role.”

Twitter.com/JpsportsJason

Roster

Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild roster:

Goal

Cameron Visser, Crapaud

Bradley Shea, St. Louis

Defence

Parker Ronahan, Charlottetown

Jesse Annear, Montague

Jesse Jay, South Freetown

Lucas Beaulieu, Borden-Carleton

Ryan Boswall, Cornwall