Niagara opens season with fresh look, strong bond

Niagara hockey hits the ice for its home opener at Dwyer Arena on Saturday at 6 p.m., taking on the St. Lawrence Saints with a roster that feels fresh but already connected.

Building a culture
With 11 new players in the locker room this season, the emphasis has been on culture, buy-in and the idea of "we before me," head coach Jason Lammers said. "If you get the culture right, you can be really good," Lammers said. "We talk a lot about banding together as brothers, fighting for each other. That's what we're really trying to get across — we, then me." Part of building that bond was a rigorous training camp, with five skates a week. The long camp was grueling by design but also unifying. Players pushed through tough practices and drills that put them in uncomfortable spots, forcing them to rely on one another. That's important to experience together, said senior defenseman Ethan Lund. "Doing hard things as a team is important," Lund said. "We're going to face adversity in
games. Not everyone's going to have a good day, every day, so you pick each other up."

New faces bring energy
The infusion of new talent has also brought an extra edge to practice, said senior forward Noah Hackett, who scored 11 goals and tallied 17 points last season. "Having a bunch of new faces brings a new competitiveness to practice," Hackett said. "It gives people a fresh start. Guys are hungry to play." Hackett said he's been impressed with the skill and grit on display in practices and is eager to see it carry over to games. "I think this is the most exciting lead-up to a season that I've had since I've been here," he said. "This is the most skilled and tight group that we've had."

Roster depth and playoff experience
Despite losing players to the transfer portal, Niagara gained more than it lost, said junior defenseman Ross Roloson. "I'm honestly super excited," Roloson said. "Sure, we lost some key guys, but I think we picked up better. We've got a lot of freshmen returning with playoff experience, and we also added guys who've been through major junior and Canadian playoffs. Even with 11 new guys, we don't have an outlier. It's a really strong team."

Goaltending outlook
Goaltending should also be a strength. The trio of Mitchell Day, Deivs Rolovs and Tomas Anderson each took unique paths to Niagara, showing resilience along the way, Lammers said. With internal competition for the starting job and guidance from former NHL goalie Dwayne Roloson, the group is set up for growth.

A gritty, entertaining team
Fans can expect a team that's gritty, close-knit and entertaining to watch. "We're uncommon in how we do things," Lammers said. "This is more than a moment, it's a movement. Our guys aren't going to be perfect, but they're going to give you everything they have. And the next time you come back, they'll be even better."

Lofty goals
Niagara was selected fourth in the Atlantic Hockey Association preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches. But inside the locker room, expectations are higher. "Everyone has a bigger role on the team, which is so important because there's no divide," said Lund. "Everyone is interlocked and ready to go."