TRURO - There is a silver lining to finishing last.
The only way to go is up.
The Brookfield Elks plan to do that in a big way this Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League season as they look to rebound from finishing at the bottom of the Fred Fox Division with a 14-17-0-2 record.
"It was a disappointment to not make the playoffs," Elks captain Connor Baker said. "But I think we have a good squad this year and we're definitely looking to improve."
That quest started last night in Sackville as the Elks took on the Blazers. See www.trurodaily.com for results from the contest. Brookfield hosts the Bay Ducks Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex.
Climbing the league ladder should be helped by the addition of several big fish including goaltender Spencer Scott and defencemen Andrew Kennedy and Cameron Arsenault, who all played for the junior A Truro Bearcats last season.
Scott, Truro's No. 1 netminder last season who was squeezed out by the team's additions as it prepares for a Fred Page Cup run this year, was a major blessing for the Elks who were looking to replace last year's starter C.J. White.
"Getting him in the fold really shores up our goaltending," Elks head coach Kevin Harvey said.
Scott should have plenty of support in front of him with Kennedy and Arsenault, as well as Elks veterans Dan Bates, Lucas Dawe and Travis Nevin and promising rookies Chris Poole (Cobequid Cougars) and Cole Baker (Brookfield midget AAA) making up the defensive ranks.
"We're rock solid," Connor, a Stewiacke resident, said. "I think our defence will be one of the best in the league and we've got a lot of depth up front."
The new-look Elks have the players excited about what the season could hold for the junior B club and Harvey said he can see it in the dressing room.
"As a group they really seem cohesive and have that team outlook you like to see from players," he said. "That's a big thing for me. They want to play for each other and they're eager. I don't know what that'll mean, but it's a good start."
sports@trurodaily.com
