The Soo Thunderbirds finally take to the ice for a new look Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season tonight at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The T-Birds enter the season with a revamped coaching staff as former head coach Jim Capy and assistant Rob Stopar took their act to the rival Blind River Beavers.
Enter the new Thunderbirds era led by head coach Zoltan "Toots" Kovacs and assistants Dave Watson and Kevin Hodson.
Kovacs and company will have a tough act to follow as Capy led the Birds to four consecutive league championship series and an appearance in the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, symbolic of the Central Canadian Junior Championship.
The Northern Michigan Black Bears, who expect to be a serious contender this season, will provide a tough opposition tonight with the puck to drop at 7:30 p.m.
In other game on opening night, the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats will make the short trip to visit the Sudbury Northern Wolves.