BURLINGTON, VT -- It's officially hockey season, even though it may not feel like it with the recent weather. For the Vermont Lumberjacks, the changing of the seasons means a fresh start for a pair of new teams. This year, the Lumberjacks will once again have a team in both the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and Eastern Hockey League (EHLP), each with their main goal set on the reaching Providence College and the EHL Frozen Finals.

Breaking down the EHL team first, and you come across are a lot of returning faces, but its a combination of past EHL and EHLP players.

"The best thing about the EHL group, is that I’ve previously coached 15 of the players in that locker room," said Lumberjacks EHL head coach and assistant general manager Jim Mosso. "So, the majority of the guys already know my expectations when it comes to how I operate. They work unbelievably hard and already have a good grasp on our team systems. This is definitely the most skilled group of guys I’ve ever been able to work with. I’m really looking forward to try to compete among the top of the EHL this year."

Unfortunately due to Hurricane Florence, the Lumberjacks opening series with the North Carolina Golden Bears was cancelled. With that being the case, the EHL team will now kick-off their new campaign next Saturday and Sunday when they host the Valley Junior Warriors.

As for the EHLP team, they will also be hosting the Warriors for a set of games next weekend, but that all follows tomorrow afternoon's season opener against the New Jersey Renegades. Puck drop at Leddy Arena is scheduled for 4:00pm, and while Mosso will be behind the bench for the Lumberjacks' EHL team, Jack Lowry is taking over as the organization's new EHLP coach. Team owner, Maurice Rosales, is excited to have the veteran coach on board.

“Jack's extensive junior hockey experience and development focus is the perfect addition to the organization," said Rosales.

All in all, there is a very positive outlook on the year ahead. For each Lumberjacks team, this is the season where they want to make a deeper run in the playoffs, and ultimately be there when it's all on the line at the EHL Frozen Finals in Providence, RI.

View this year's team rosters and schedules.

EHL Roster -- EHL Schedule

EHLP Roster -- EHLP Schedule