The Proski Newcastle Northstars will welcome all new imports this season, but they join a team made up with some very familiar faces.

Robert “Bert” Malloy will captain the Northstars again this season, and Mathew Lindsay will wear the familiar A on his jersey.

However, the other A will be worn by a new leader within the team – Matt Wetini.

Wetini, who has been with the Northstars since 2010, said wearing the A was “an absolute honour”.

“I got a phone call from Frij [Northstars coach Andrew Petrie] a couple weeks back, he was just telling me his thoughts about my pre-season training so far,” Wetini said.

“Eventually he asked if I wanted to be an assistant captain this season.

“I was a little lost for words, to be honest, which is a very rare thing for me!

“It's an absolute honour.

“It's something I'm really excited about and I just can't wait to get the season underway.”

Without further ado, your 2017 Northstars team:

(I = Import, C = Captain, A = Alternate Captain)

Goaltenders:

31 Charlie Smart
33 Nick Mizen

Defensemen:

3 Mathew Lindsay (A)
5 John Kennedy Jr
16 Jayson Chalker
20 Robert Malloy (C)
22 Matt Taylor
23 Matt Wetini (A)
25 David Ferrari
44 Felix Poulin (I)
58 Hayden Sheard

Forwards

8 Hamish Powell
9 Matt Marantz (I)
11 Tim Stanger
12 Joe Harcharik (I)
15 Beau Taylor
24 Jonatan Ruth
26 Zane Jones
27 Liam Manwarring
71 Shane Southwood
91 Pat Nadin
96 Steven Kuhn (I)

Staff

Coach Andrew Petrie
Assistant coach Joey Theriault