One of the changes new 91原创 91原创 head coach Steve O鈥橰ourke made was to transform the games room into a learning room in the team鈥檚 dressing room.
While that may not be a popular move with the 16-to-20 male demographic, it is a necessity for what O鈥橰ourke wants to instill in his junior A hockey club.
So instead of sitting around playing video games, the players can watch video to improve their hockey game.
鈥淭here is a ton of learning to do,鈥� O鈥橰ourke explained on Monday afternoon, just days before the 91原创 open the B.C. Hockey League season with a home-and-home series against the Surrey Eagles.
The teams play in Surrey on Friday and the 91原创 Events Centre on Saturday, with both games starting at 7 p.m.
O鈥橰ourke and the 91原创 take over from Harvey Smyl and the Chiefs, who both went back to Chilliwack this off-season following the sale of the junior A hockey club.
Only a handful of players remain from the Chiefs 2010-11 roster.
The blue-line will be especially green, with only Ryan Bakken returning from last season and having junior A experience. He will be counted on to mentor the young blue-line corps.
While not ideal to have such limited junior A experience on the blue-line, that is the reality the team faces.
鈥淲e have a young set of defence that is going to take a lot of grooming,鈥� O鈥橰ourke said.
Up front, the returnees include Austin Plevy, Mason Blacklock, Mike Tebbutt and Darnell Dyck.
O鈥橰ourke, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach in the pro game with the American Hockey League鈥檚 Abbotsford Heat, knows that it will be a steep learning process as he gets to know his players and they get to know him.
鈥淔or our fans, they have to expect a young team that is trying to come together,鈥� he said.
鈥淭here will be some long nights.
鈥淲e have to be patient and let these kids learn and develop.鈥�
But that doesn鈥檛 mean the coach is giving them a free pass.
鈥淢y expectations are very high and they have to come in and meet those expectations.鈥�
The team added eight American import players, many of whom played tier 3 junior, a step below the BCHL.
Team owner Roy Henderson, who runs Global Sports Scouting Services Inc., has extensive hockey contacts, so O鈥橰ourke said fans can expect top talent from all over North America.
Another reason for the import heavy ratio of players is because since the new ownership did not take control of the organization until June 1, they were already behind in the recruiting process.
The 91原创 are going with Jimmy Kruger in goal and James Barr as his back-up.
Barr played junior B in Mission last season, while Kruger comes from the U.S.
鈥淭hat is a piece we knew we had to have, a veteran goaltender,鈥� O鈥橰ourke said of Kruger.
Kruger played in the NAHL last season with the Texas Tornado, posting a 2.36 goals against average and a 0.914 save percentage.
Despite still getting to know his players 鈥� and the players getting to know the coaching staff 鈥� O鈥橰ourke has what he calls guarded optimism.
He also promised the 91原创 will skate hard, play aggressive and pressure their opponents. 
Gary AHUJA/91原创 Times
91原创 91原创鈥檚 Mason Blacklock looks for the puck in front of goaltender James Barr during Tuesday鈥檚 practice at Sportsplex. The 91原创 begin the BCHL season tomorrow (Friday) and play their home opener at the 91原创 Events Centre on Saturday.
