A look ahead to Nottingham Panthers league campaign Chris Ellis BBC Radio Nottingham Sport
So another season is upon us and for the fourth time in five years Panthers begin the campaign with a new coach at the helm.
Canadian-born Corey Neilson takes over from the man who first brought him to Nottingham in 2006 - Mike Ellis.
Neilson has had a roller-coaster ride since joining two years ago.
Harshly criticised by some supporters in his first few months at the club, the 31-year-old had the belief in his ability to stick with it.
The defining moment so far in his Panthers career has to be his penalty shot in the play-off quarter-final victory over Sheffield Steelers two years ago.
Neilson was already having a very solid play-offs - two great performances on the blueline in two great games of hockey against the arch-enemy.
Panthers had not had the best of records that season in penalty shots and Ellis had tinkered with his penalty takers all year.
The first penalties in Sheffield from both sides had been missed and then out came Neilson.
Neilson had scored many points from the blueline and many on the powerplay that year but unless you went to training you would not have seen him in a one-on-one situation.
Indeed, was it not Corey who had to drive the infamous 'Loser Cruiser' around Nottingham after losing out to Paul Moran in a shoot-out contest which was screened on BBC East Midlands Today.
The pressure Neilson will have been under was intense as the penalty shot would either make or break his season and the Panthers too.
Then came the backhand move that left Jody Lehman sprawling, it was that moment that I began to consider Panthers might win the play-offs.
The rest is history, Neilson pulled the same move off in the semi-final against Belfast and scored but just could not repeat it in the final against his old friend Phil Osaer.
But it did not matter as Rastislav Rovnianek saved penalty after penalty and 18 years of waiting were over - Panthers were play-off champions.
Last year Neilson began to have more involvement in the coaching alongside Mike Ellis and often the pair could be found late into the day at the National Ice Centre planning for the weekend.
No stone was left unturned as the pair planned tactics in great detail.
Neilson's points production last season was a point a game, he was in the top-25 point scorers in the league and no surprise he was the defenceman with the most points across the season.
With Mike Ellis and Neil Black unable to agree a new deal, the club turned to Corey to take up the hot seat.
He immediately got the fans on his side by re-signing favourites David Clarke, Danny Meyers and Kevin Bergin.
Neilson has a wealth of playing experience in North America and his extensive contacts book has enabled him to assemble a competitive looking roster.
Tricky winger Brendan Cook looks an exciting prospect and Bruce Richardson's no-nonsense style has already made him a fans' favourite.
Then there's Jade Galbraith, who Neilson said, on his signature, that "this guy can do things with the puck that will make you gasp".
Dan Tessier's quality is well-known and his points output and ability to win face-offs will be a huge asset.
After losing Chris Richards, Neilson turned to Tess and it could turn out to be a great bit of business. He'll certainly have a point to prove against Sheffield.
Johan Molin will surely adore playing alongside Tessier and the Swede could hit 40 goals this year.
Matthew Myers and Marc Levers have come off the back of stand-out seasons and, with the attacking flair Neilson has at his disposal, their points output could well increase further.
Nick Toneys looks likely to be the stay-at-home defenceman and, with Mike Rees being a huge loss for the Panthers last year, hopefully Toneys can end up to be as consistent as he was.
The toughness comes in the form of Rumun Ndur although the question asked over the summer was about his fitness.
But after two pre-season games and an army training camp it is clear he is in great shape.
To me one of the keys in Panthers season is Davis Parley.
Not much is known about the 26-year-old netminder but Neilson has played against him and his performances in the past were one of the reasons why the coach went for the Canadian.
The ingredients are there for a good team but Sheffield, Belfast and Coventry look good too.
While the likes of Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle will be difficult to beat with that extra import.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?