ABOVE: No photo ID submitted Roster in alphabetical order: Axel Chapman, Barret Scholl, Brandon Hector, Bryce Ihrke, Bryce Roeschen, Caden Wickert, Caleb Meyer, Dayton Draper, Eli Winter, Enol Murillo, Eric Determan, Gavin Kester, Hunter Olson, Hunter Thate, Jase Meade, Kaden Olson, Kegan Roloff, Klay Beemer, Logan Madsen, Mack Anderson, Noah Bettin, Noah Meixell, Parker Schwandt, Preston Cepres, Tyler Kurt.

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Cardinals boys hockey team is back on the ice and ready for another year.

Despite a 3-24 season last year, the Cardinals have a host of fresh faces and with first-year head varsity coach Dylan VanBrocklin at the helm, the team is feeling things out and focusing on growth this season.

“We’ve only had one [practice],” said VanBrocklin. “I guess this will be our second full practice, so I mean it’s still early. Got a lot of young players … that’s exciting.”

With the addition of the younger players, VanBrocklin is still working on figuring out his fresh team. Adding nine new players to the roster and returning 11 players, with seniors Barret Scholl (forward), Kegan Roloff (forward), Eric Determan (forward), Tyler Kurt (defense), Eli Winter (forward), the team has a fresh look this season.

“I haven’t coached any of the kids that are moving up this year,” said VanBrocklin. “So there’s a lot of new faces, a lot of I gotta kind of figure out where everyone is gonna fit. So that’s kind of exciting.”

Not new to coaching, VanBrocklin is carrying his past experience with him. Moving up with his squad for the last four seasons, VanBrocklin has built team chemistry but a newly revitalized roster has presented the Cardinals with an energy boost.

“I coached the Bantams,” said VanBrocklin. “So, besides those first couple years when I coached Bantams, I’ve kind of had the same kids the last four years. I started with them and then moved up with them. … I had that familiarity, where now it’s kind of gone, it’s new.”

In seasons past the Cardinals have struggled with their roster size with not a lot of returning players. It did have an impact on the team, but the program is seeing growth and things look promising. Though it is too soon to tell, as the team is just getting back on the ice, the outlook is an optimistic one.

This season the team is focused on player development not focusing on their record but how the team can grow.

“I’d say the biggest expectation is just growth,” said VanBrocklin. “I mean, last year wasn’t as good as what we wanted or what we could have done. So trying to keep everyone positive and look at the bigger picture. … Whether we get a lot of wins or losses this year, it doesn’t really matter as long as we kind of grow as a team and get a lot better by the end of the year.”

A new season is getting ready to open for the Cardinals, so the team will see how things are clicking once the players suit back up. Currently the Cardinals are training hard to get ready for their home opener against Luverne. The Cardinals’ first game will be an early test, as Luverne went 24-3 last season.

The Cardinals host Luverne on Tuesday, Nov. 26, for its home opener.