But the focal point of his enthusiasm lies in something that won't be found in any stats column.

"We've got a surprising amount of chemistry for this early in the year," said the club's new head coach, who'll be joined by brother Rob and native Miltonian Bryan Gent behind the bench. "That's so important. I've played on teams that looked great on paper but didn't go anywhere, and others that didn't seem to have much potential but just gelled and went on to win a Calder Cup."

Added returning forward Kevin Caister, "It all starts with the coach. He's brought in a great bunch of guys and right now we're just clicking."

Milton's Tier 2 Jr. A club probably isn't ready to claim any championship hardware just yet, but may well take another step forward on the long road back to its former perennial contender days.

If such progress occurs, it'll be due largely to veteran Dillon Branco, who after a sensational playoff run last spring is poised to be among the division's -- and perhaps league's -- top netminders.

Together with fellow returnee Steve Zoffranieri, the IceHawks may just have its most capable -- and more importantly, stable -- goaltending tandem in the past three years.

"Dillon's been selected for the Canada East camp (for Tier 2 Jr. A world championships) and has a good chance of making the team. I think that tells you how set we are between the pipes," said team president and co-owner Dean Piett.

Said McDougall, "I think we may have the best one-two goalie punch in the league."

Offensively, the departure of David Vallorani -- now toiling with UMass-Lowell -- has to be considered the biggest single loss in recent memory.

About as influential to the club's success as any player in team history, the diminutive centre amassed 87 points (32g, 55a) last season and had a goal or multi-point performance in 19 of Milton's 22 victories.

With that in mind, the IceHawks will need much more 'production by committee' this season.

McDougall has every confidence they'll be able to deliver on that, with returning veterans like Kevin Caister, Justin Basso and Tyler Stothers -- all with at least a dozen goals and 35 points last season -- being joined by some high-tempo rookies.

"We're going to be pretty balanced, and get production from all four lines," said Milton's bench boss.

The most promising member of that new class is midget Marlies graduate Ricky Buehler, who's been described as a Sean Avery-type player who can do a little bit of everything.

A hard-nosed sniper during his prosperous career -- in which he captured six professional championships, including back-to-back Calder Cups -- McDougall is especially encouraged by the young forward's agitator edge and overall grit.

"He's someone who's already standing up for his teammates. I think we're going to have more of that (toughness). I wasn't around last year but from what I understand there were times when guys would put their heads down and skate away (from altercations). That won't happen on my team."

In order to provide a stabilizing presence on a still relatively young team, McDougall has brought in 20-year-olds Adam Martin and Ari Lisschultz, who spent last season with the Brampton Capitals and Bridgewater Brandits of the east coast Empire Junior Hockey League respectively.

Lisschultz will be used primarily up front, while Martin will be part of a blueline retooling that's seen Jeremy Price head off Nepean and David Fortino in the midst of being traded away.

Matt Prinsen of the Marlie midgets seems capable of making up for at least part of the mobility and production lost by Price's departure, while Hurricanes' graduate Clinton MacKenzie has been the biggest surprise so far among the IceHawks' newcomers.

"He's (MacKenzie) just a bull. He finishes his checks and is really solid back there," said McDougall, whose IceHawks have about a dozen veterans back from the team that finished sixth last year, including leaders Dean Kulla, Jamie Hawkrigg and Allen Petretic.

Where McDougall appears quite confident in what he'll start the season with, Piett seems equally positive about his new coaching staff.

"I've known Bill and Rob for many years, so I knew what we were getting. I'm very comfortable with who we've got behind the bench."

Of course as a first-year coach in the Provincial Jr. A ranks, McDougall doesn't expect to spend too much time in the 'comfort zone.'

"I'm going to bring 110 per cent to every game and practice and I expect the same from these guys. It's about giving a consistently-strong effort every night."

* * *

2008/09 HOME SCHEDULE

presented in the following order: DATE; OPPONENT; TIME

SEPTEMBER

Tonight; Brampton; 7:30pm

Friday 12th; Streetsville; 7:30pm

Sunday 14th; Buffalo; 3:30pm

Friday 19th; Buffalo; 7:30pm

OCTOBER

Friday 3rd; Oakville; 7:30pm

Sunday 5th; Aurora; 3:30pm

Friday 10th; Burlington; 7:30pm

Friday 17th; Georgetown; 7:30pm

Friday 24th; Mississauga; 7:30pm

NOVEMBER

Sunday 2nd; Collingwood; 3:30pm

Friday 7th; Brampton; 7:30pm

Friday 14th; Bramalea; 7:30pm

Friday 21st; Vaughan; 7:30pm

Friday 28th; Georgetown; 7:30pm

DECEMBER

Sunday 7th; Seguin; 3:30pm

Friday 12th; Mississauga; 7:30pm

Friday 19th; Bramalea; 7:30pm

JANUARY

Friday 2nd; Streetsville; 7:30pm

Friday 9th; Oakville; 7:30pm

Friday 16th; Brampton; 7:30pm

Friday 23rd; Burlington; 7:30pm

Sunday 25th; Huntsville; 3:30pm

Friday 30th; Buffalo; 7:30pm

FEBRUARY

Friday 6th; Vaughan; 7:30pm