Feisty new faces

CEDAR RAPIDS - Who are these guys?

Not trying to get all “Major League” or anything, but this edition of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders reminds you a lot of the anonymous Cleveland Indians in the popular 1990s baseball movie starring Charlie Sheen. You can just envision the maintenance crew at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena standing around, working on the ice and asking themselves questions about the collection of new, unfamiliar players.

They are everywhere.

“We're a lot younger experience wise this year than we were last year, but we look at that as a positive,” RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson said. “But I think the opportunity for guys to grow is going to be there. We'll be a much different team in November than we are today. A lot of opportunities for new people to come in here and impact the team.”

New people like forward Jono Davis, the tiny Californian (5-foot-7, 147 pounds) who had six points in six preseason games. Like forward Riley Bourbonnais, who had five preseason goals and is an old Rochester, N.Y., buddy of veteran forward Stu Wilson.

Like goaltenders Matt McNeely, Jake Hildebrand and Peter Traber. McNeely and Hildebrand do have United States Hockey League experience.

“I think it's similar to every year I've been here,” said Wilson, whose team begins its 60-game regular season Saturday night at home against Indiana. “There are ups and downs, a lot of learning. You've got to figure out the systems a little bit. But there are definitely a lot of positives (because) you see a lot of room for growth.”

Wilson is one of eight returning players from last year's Anderson Cup champion for most regular-season points. He and defenseman Nolan Zajac are back for their third seasons.

Four of the returnees are defensemen: Zajac, Ian Brady, Greg Amlong and Mike Holland. It's always good to have experience on the back end.

McNeely played last season for the U.S. National Team Development Program. Hildebrand was picked up in a trade this week from Sioux City, where he played last season.

“Just because we think he's a good goalie,” said Carlson, who wouldn't tip his hand on who the opening-night starter would be. “He was available, and we just felt that goaltending is like pitching. It's an important position. We'll work it out day by day.”

The RoughRiders' top five scorers from last season moved on to college, so up front is where most of the new guys are. Mighty mite forward Ryan McGrath had 18 goals in 2010-11 and will be counted on more heavily this season, especially early.

One thing you'll notice about this team is it's lack of size but high level of skill and skating speed. Those are Carlson staples.

The coach anticipates his guys playing gritty as well. That's where a second-year forward like Tanner Pond enters the picture.

“I think we do have some guys who will step up to the plate and play physical,” Pond said.

Known for his toughness, he broke his nose in a fight during a second-round playoff series loss to Green Bay but played the next game. With two black eyes, of course.

“We need everybody doing that,” Pond said. “That's the way the game goes. It's a big momentum changer when somebody has a big hit, or when someone drops the gloves and gets into a fight.”