Glace Bay and Memorial will open on Thursday at 7:20 p.m. at the Emera Centre Northside in North Sydney.

Like in previous years, the league will feature four teams including the defending champion Panthers, Marauders, Wildcats, and Ravens. 

As league play begins, three of the four teams will have nine or more veteran players returning from last season, which is expected to provide plenty of entertainment for high school hockey fans in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Tournament play will once again resume this year and all four schools are planning to host their events.

The first tournament on the schedule will be the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Tournament slated for Nov. 3-6 in North Sydney, while the Panther Classic will be played Dec. 8-11 in Glace Bay. Sydney Academy's Blue and White tournament is scheduled for Jan. 12-15 at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre, and Riverview's Red Cup Showcase will be played Feb. 2-5 in a location to be announced at a later date.

Here's a breakdown of all four teams for the 2022-23 season:

Glace Bay Panthers

The Panthers enter the season coming off a championship year, which saw the club knock off Riverview in three games in the league final to advance to the School Sport Nova Scotia provincial championship tournament.

Although the Panthers will be the defending champions, a large portion of their 2021-22 roster is no longer with the team with 12 players graduating from the program at the end of last season.

Glace Bay will have seven returning players from last season including newly named captain Parker Hutchings along with defenceman Lochlan Pilling, who head coach Dwayne Doucet says will log key minutes of the club's backend.

"We have a lot of new faces around the room," said Doucet of his team. "Fortunately, all of these guys have all played high levels of hockey, so we still have high expectations to defend our title."

Among the newcomers to the team include forwards Brayden MacDonald and Blake Snow. The two played with the Cape Breton Jets of the Nova Scotia Under-16 'AAA' Hockey League last season and were key offensive producers for the club.

"We feel our forward group is one of the strongest we have ever had," said Doucet, admitting the club is approaching this season with basically a brand-new squad.

"Our defensive group is also strong with three returning players from last year that will definitely help the cause."

For the first time in recent years, fans won't see the names Darian McInnis and Owen Coombes in goal for the Panthers. The club will have two rookie netminders in Kristian MacKenzie and Brandon Cole between the pipes.

"They're very good," said Doucet. "We think they'll have no problem adjusting to the speed of the league."

With a highly competitive league expected this season, Doucet couldn't pinpoint for sure where the Panthers expect to be in the standings.

"With the number of new players we have, it will take time for them to all get on the same page with our systems," said Doucet. "The late start doesn't leave us with a lot of practice time before our games start but we truly believe, by the end of the season, we will be one of the top teams."

2021-22 Glace Bay Panthers Statistics:

•  Standings: First overall
•  Record: 16-0-0-0
•  Goals for: 78
•  Goals against: 28

Riverview Ravens

Riverview may not have won the league championship last year, but with a young team who experienced the ride to the final, there are high expectations for the Coxheath-based club.

The Ravens will welcome back nine players including six forwards and three defencemen. Among the veteran players back for another season include Royce Balcom and Gahan Rector, both of whom had strong Grade 10 campaigns in 2021-22.

Ravens head coach Jordan Moss expects his roster to be competitive but noted he expects the league to be tight with lots of veteran presence.

"We feel we're a fully balanced team from our forwards right through to our goaltending," said Moss. "We have a heavy veteran presence in all positions, and then a few younger guys to learn from them as the year goes on."

Offensively, Balcom finished second in the league in 2021-22 with 10 goals and 24 points, while Rector was second on the team in points (20) with nine goals and 11 assists.

On the backend, the club will be led by newly named captain and third-year player Matthew LeBlanc. The team will also welcome Braedy MacKenzie, who played the last two years with the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush of the Nova Scotia Under-18 Major Hockey League.

In the net, the team will have a pair of new faces in Andrew Burke and Ryan MacDonald. Burke was part of the Rush program last year, while MacDonald played in the New Waterford Minor Hockey Association.

"We felt we progressed well last season and with a good core coming back from that team, we hope to build off that and win a league title," said Moss. "We want to have a chance to battle for a provincial title."

2021-22 Riverview Ravens Statistics:

 Standings: Second overall

•  Record: 10-4-1-1
•  Goals for: 63
•  Goals against: 48

Sydney Academy Wildcats

Since returning to the league, the Wildcats have seen some growing pains when it comes to the win column, but the club hopes that will change this season with the oldest roster in the league.

Sydney Academy will have 11 returning players from last season including forward Kent Wolodka, who head coach Sheldon Surette feels with have a key impact on the club's offence.

"Kent is a big, strong, power forward with a heavy shot and we expect him to have a great year," said Surette. "We are hoping to be competitive again this year. With our new additions and strong returning players, we hope to be in each and every game — offence should not be an issue with our team."

Among the new faces this season for the Wildcats is forward Riley Crane, who spent the last two years with the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush.

On defence, Sydney Academy will lean upon co-captain Rylan Perry to lead the way. Surette said the veteran can provide offence and play a physical game when needed to help the team have success.

Both Liam Collings and Daniel MacGillivary graduated from the program last season, leaving the Wildcats searching for two new goaltenders. The team will have Brody Campbell and Dylan Lesnick between the pipes.

"They will be battling for the starting position," said Surette. "We hope to have a solid effort from both all season."

Surette acknowledged the progress his team has made over the last five seasons, noting the club started from scratch when they returned to the league.

"The kids have really bought in, have listened, learned and worked hard to be competitive — they deserve all the credit," said Surette. "I feel they will compete this season and be right there in the end looking for a championship."

2021-22 Sydney Academy Wildcats Statistics:

•  Standings: Third overall
•  Record: 4-11-1-1
•  Goals for: 49
•  Goals against: 78

Memorial Marauders

Another team that hopes to be in the hunt for a championship this season is the Memorial Marauders, who, like Riverview and Sydney Academy, will ice several veteran players from last season.

The Marauders will have 10 returning players from the 2021-22 club but despite that fact, head coach Marc Lyle said he isn't putting any extra pressure on the players to perform.

"Fans can expect this group to be very hard working with the expectation they will improve on a game-by-game basis," he said. "We like the combination of skill, work ethic, and hockey IQ we have in our lineup. It could be a recipe for success and see us take another step forward."

Returnees Daniel Young and Lucas Gracie will be among the players the Marauders hope will take the next step when it comes to offensive production this season. Young was second on the team in points (13) last season with nine goals and four assists, while Gracie had two goals and five points.

On the blueline, James Jobes, Brayden MacDonald and Keagan MacKenzie are players to watch. Lyle said MacDonald and MacKenzie's composure with the puck has impressed the club's coaching staff early on.

In goal, Jack MacPhee will return for another season and will look to improve on his successful Grade 10 year with the club.

"He is very calm, composed and gives us a chance to win every night," said Lyle.

2021-22 Memorial Marauders Statistics:

•  Standings: Fourth overall
•  Record: 2-13-0-1
•  Goals for: 37
•  Goals against: 73