The Sarnia Legionnaires begin their preseason schedule Thursday night when they host the Strathroy Rockets at Clearwater Arena at 7pm.
It begins a six game exhibition schedule before Sarnia opens the regular season September 9.
Head Coach Mark Davis says there's a lot on the line in preseason, and with a good chunk of last year's team back it's been a very competitive camp so far. He says even the returning players need to earn their roster spot.
"I told all the veterans that nobody's job is safe, it's up to you to come here and play hard," says Davis. "It's my third year with the Legionnaires, and I want to have a good season, so I told them if they don't want to get on that same page then I'll find someone who is willing."
Davis expects breakout seasons for a handful of players entering their third season in the team, and says it's time they take the next step.
"Now you have to go out and prove yourself, it's your third year in the league so you should have adapted to the league by, this are the guys you need to rely on to have success," he says.
The Legionnaires started with about 70 kids at training camp last weekend, that number has been trimmed by about half.
Sarnia signed Matthew Stoia, a 12th round draft pick by the Oshawa Generals in 2015. He'll be in the lineup for Sarnia Thursday night and this weekend, before he heads to main camp with the Generals next week.