A NEW-look Newcastle North Stars will have the chance to see how off-season changes work on the ice when they play their first game in the Wilson Cup tournament on Saturday.
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Joined by Sydney Ice Dogs and Sydney Bears, the North Stars will play in the round robin tournament, a precursor to the Australian Ice Hockey League season, which kicks off on April 25.
At the North Stars' helm this season is Andrew Petrie, the first major change made to the Warners Bay-based ice hockey team for 2015.
The former Sydney Ice Dogs coach was announced as Newcastle's new coach in October, taking on the job from Garry Dore.
Petrie said he was looking forward to the North Stars' first Wilson Cup game, which would be played at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium from 5pm on March 29.
"The Wilson Cup is an excellent opportunity for the playing group collectively and individually and I know the boys are excited by it," Petrie said.
"It gives us a chance to gauge our fitness levels, a chance to put new systems and strategies into play and it also provides an outlet for us all.
"To be able to play actual games this early is a nice reward, given the frequency and intensity of practices to date."
New faces joining the side this year include Shane Southwood and Robert Malloy, former Sydney Ice Dogs players, and Canadian goaltender Dayne Davis.
Rookies Hayden Sheard and Pat Nadin join well-known players Ray Sheffield, Rob Starke and Brian Bales on the North Stars for 2015.