The Humboldt Broncos are continuing to prepare for their 45th home and season opener coming up Saturday night.

They just concluded the pre-season schedule Sunday night with a 5-1 loss to the Melfort Mustangs.

That closed a stretch of five games in six days where they tallied a record 2-2-0-1.

General Manager and Head Coach Darcy Haugan likes what he saw over the two week stretch since camp began.

"Very happy, very pleased, very optimistic, a lot of positives coming from here. Thoroughly been impressed with our veterans and the leadership that they have shown. Also with the younger guys that have come in we have a lot of good building blocks in place."

Haugan says they are down to 28 players, that includes three goaltenders.

He took time Monday to praise the work of former GM Ryan Smith and Brayden Klimosko, his assistant over the Summer.

"We've got a lot of good kids here, Coach Brayden and Ryan did a fantastic job identifying some prospects and made our camp extremely competitive and we've had a few other guys that have added to the competitiveness."

Haugan is happy where they are at with 28 players but he admits changes will likely still come.

"With injuries and what not players become available and this and that so there's a lot of different moving parts. Right now we are very happy with what we have but we understand we have to be patient but at the same time we have to eventually cut down and try to make the right decision for our hockey club."

Nine veterans from last year's team are set to start the season on the opening night roster.

Notre Dame will be at the Elgar Petersen Arena for the opener of a home and home set versus the Hounds, puck drop is 7:30. The Broncos will be having a tailgate party from 5:30 to 7pm. You can get a hamburger of hot dog before the game while listening to music from 40oz. Philosophy near the entrance of the EPA.

Call 682-5575 for tickets.

You can hear more from Haugan in his interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork below.