SIJHL Team Preview: Sioux Lookout Flyers

Set to begin their fourth year in the SIJHL, the Sioux Lookout Flyers have a new look behind the bench as Brad Zangs was brought as the club's new head coach and general manager.

No less than a dozen new faces will sport the black, white and orange Flyers' jerseys this 2011-12 season.

They'll be right up against the SIJHL's elite when they take to the ice in their home opener Friday evening as the defending Bill Salonen Cup champion Wisconsin Wilderness provide the opposition.

A trio of returning forwards in Brett Wur, Jacob Nolan and Nelson Rosiak will be looked upon to lead the Sioux Lookout attack.

Coach Zangs is pleased with their efforts so far.

"I like the play of Brett Wur and Jacob Nolan. Both have put in a lot of work and its paying off," the Flyers skipper offered.

"Nelson Rosiak has been bothered by a nagging injury and it not 100% yet, but he should be back to full stride soon enough."

Exhibition action saw Wur bag the game-winning goal in each of the club's two preseason victories. He picked up three total tallies along with four assists in the squad's four preseason games.

A pair of newcomers, Anthony Wolfe and Chris Hoffman, both were equally impressive for the Flyers in the early stages.

The duo each amassed eight points apiece in exhibition play, which was a share for the most of any player in the SIJHL.

The two 20-year-olds from the U.S. have drawn the praises of the Sioux Lookout coach.

"Wolfe has great hands and see the ice well," said Zangs. "He played for the Soo Eagles last season," referring to his efforts with the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League champions where he netted 17 goals and as many assists."

Also up front, Sioux Lookout's new group of forwards include Royce King, Matt Reed, Tanner Duffney, Tim McFatridge, Alex Beaulne, Max Strasser, Jordan Davidson, Cody Block and Jared Sugarhead.

Defensively the Flyers welcome back four players on their back end.

Matt Grove, Jacob Brown, Ryan Tonogai and A.J. Merritt will look to bolster Sioux Lookout's back end with solid play.

In goal the Flyers will have to do without standout netminder and SIJHL most valuable player finalist Jesse Wilkins who saw his Hockey Canada playing rights shipped to the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Jr.

Hockey League in the off-season for future considerations.

New netminder Trevor Zangs along with returning goalkeeper Jayme Brattengeier, who has a career 16-8-2 record in 29 overall SIJHL appearances, will share the workload for the Flyers.

Heading into the start of the season coach Zangs has been impressed with what he has seen so far.

"Over all I like that we play hard and we are showing up at the rink to get better each day. Our goal is to be better at the end of the year and hope to keep playing as far as we can going into the playoffs."