It's back to the ice for the Midget AA Humboldt Broncos.

The Broncos open a new season on Saturday afternoon at the Elgar Petersen Arena when they host the Martensville Marauders at 3:45pm.

The team also has new leadership behind the bench, as former Junior A Bronco Rhett Blackmur takes over. Blackmur replaces Chris Hamilton, who wrapped up his final year coaching the team following last season.

Hamilton brought Blackmur on as an assistant coach last season, and the 24-year-old noted that he enjoyed the year and was looking forward to more opportunities to help grow the game.

Blackmur played in over 150 regular season and playoff games for the Broncos from 2011 to 2014.

Tryouts for the team were held in late September and will see 11 returning players from last year's team that lost in the league semifinal to the Saskatoon Riverkings.

Returning forwards are Hunter Edmonds, Gavin Ingram, Dylan Lindal, Kody Perlett, Brett Simpson and Damon Vanderlinde.

Vanderlinde was the team's leading scorer with 26 goals and 16 assists for 42 points.

On defence, back for another year is Dawson Hering, Holden Holaday, and Carter Sawchuk.

The team also has both goaltenders returning in Dawson Cochrane and Ryland Pronych. Cochrane had a 13-4 record for the Broncos last season, with a 1.80 goals-against-average. Pronych had eight wins.

Cochrane had a 13-4 record for the Broncos last season, with a 1.80 goals-against-average. Pronych had eight wins.

In addition to the 11 returning players, there are eight newcomers to round out the roster.

First-year players coming up from the Bantam AA team are Logan Stumborg, Ryder Klapak, Maguire Scheidt and Kade Vipond.

A tune-up game was played in Saskatoon on October 3 against the Steel, which the Broncos won quite handily, skating to an 8-3 victory.

Following Saturday's home opener against the Marauders, the Riverkings make their way to the Elgar Petersen Arena for a 2:00pm faceoff on Sunday.