The Okotoks Oilers get started on the new hockey season Wednesday night in Drumheller as they take on the Dragons in their season opener.
The Oilers finished the AJHL pre-season with a 4-and-2 record, including a 6-2 win over the Dragons in the badlands last Monday.
So, it's fair to say the Oilers are punching above their weight early in what is supposed to be a rebuilding year for the club.
Oilers Coach James Poole says he knows full well just how young a team they are heading into the year, but he's still expecting big things.
"The players and the coaching staff fully realize that we have a lot of room for improvement, which you know to me is a good thing to be able to say. When you have a positive record and you have a lot of room for improvement and you know that some of these players are just going to get better and better, it gives a lot of room for optimism."
The Oilers play their home opener Friday night when the Calgary Mustangs come to town.