The reigning Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League champions will play their 2020-21 home opener tonight (8 p.m.) against the St. Boniface Riels at the Morris MultiPlex.

"Super jacked," said Pembina Valley Twisters co-head coach Mike Gilmore when asked how the team feels about the start of a new season. "In all honesty, and it's sad to say, it feels like we have unfinished business, but it's nice to get into a routine and back at the rink with the boys. It's hockey right so it's good to be back."

The Twisters, who captured the 2018-2019 MMJHL championship in dramatic fashion rallying from four goals down to defeat the St. James Canucks 5-4 in the seventh and deciding game of the final, were set to begin their opening round series with the Charleswood Hawks in Morris and begin their quest for back-to-back titles on March 13th but Hockey Manitoba cancelled the remainder of the season because of COVID-19.

Jeremie Goderis, Luc Zacharias, Brendan Keck, Nic Burmey and captain Wyatt Sabourin are among the graduating players from last years superb team that won 35 of 45 regular season games and finished nine points ahead of the second place St. Vital Victorias. 

Gilmore feels this years team should again compete for top spot.

"We're quick. We're going to be fast. We lost some big names but we got a lot of young talent from the U18 AAA system. We're going to have a good team."

Gilmore is expecting both teams to be a bit rusty when the Twisters and St. Boniface start the 2020-21 season tonight. 

"There's going to be a lot of bugs to get out. The Riels had a bit of a hiatus because of COVID so they've been off for a little bit. It's going to be sloppy at the beginning but once the guys get their game legs going, I think it's going to be fun to watch."