The Eastman Selects begin defense of their Manitoba Female AAA Midget Hockey League championship this weekend.

The Selects will play road games against the Interlake Lightning Saturday in Stonewall and the Wpg Ice Sunday at Bell MTS Iceplex.

"I'm excited," said Eastman head coach Bill Bram who watched his team defeat the Pembina Valley Hawks in last years MFMHL final. "I think the kids are chomping at the bit. We've had a busy September with two tournaments. We've played 11 games already so we got a chance to feel out some lines and do some ground work on our systems. The kids have been working hard off-ice and on-ice. We're going to be very small but fast. Nobody is going to outwork us. We'll be competitive and that's all I can ask."

The defending champions recorded one win, two ties and a loss at the Firestarter Tournament in Calgary and had two wins and two losses at the Central Plains Capitals Showcase in Portage.

Coach Bram says their hectic September schedule has already paid dividends.

"I like our team bonding. We're really close already. Usually it takes half-a-year. The kids have been working together and gelling. I really like that part. It's a long year but the kids are all buying in and that's what I want."

As for starting the season with the 'Defending Champions' label.

"It's an honour," said the Selects bench boss. "We've worked hard to get there, taking a team from two wins three years ago to a championship, it was a lot of hard work."

Bram also explained what he's expecting in their season opener Saturday night in Stonewall.

"I want our kids to play like they've been playing. We'll be competitive and it'll be a great game."

The Selects play their home-opener Saturday, October 13th against the Yellowhead Chiefs in Ste. Anne.


photo courtesy Zachary Peters, ZJP Photography