Courtesy Photo The Alpena 45ers gather during their recent training camp at Northern Light Arena in Alpena. The team kicks off their inaugural season on Saturday at 7 p.m.

ALPENA — As the Alpena 45ers prepare for their inaugural season, head coach Myles Grix highlights the importance of both winning a championship and fostering a team culture and community connection.

The 45ers kick off their season on Saturday at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena against the Muskegon Voyagers. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

With a roster that has experienced significant turnover, Grix is focused on the potential of this year’s squad.

“Our goal is to win a championship,” Grix said. “But I think it’s also important to build as a team and in the community. We have a solid group of players, and I’m eager for Alpena to see what we’ve developed.”

This season, nearly the entire team is new, which presents both challenges and opportunities, Grix said.

“We have many new players this year, but we also have a strong core that will have an impact on our performance,” Grix noted.

He recognizes that integrating new players will take time and effort, particularly as many are inexperienced in the league.

“The biggest challenge is that we’re a young team,” he explained. “Not many of our players have played in this league before, so preparing everyone for what to expect is essential. We need to ensure we’re ready for the competition.”

While building on last year’s accomplishments may be challenging with a fresh roster, Grix aims to replicate the successful culture established in Gaylord.

“Our goal is to mirror what we had in Gaylord while being more involved in the community,” he said.

When asked about the team’s camaraderie, Grix said, “There’s always room for improvement.”

As the team continues to shape its roster, Grix is focused on bringing in players who complement the existing talent.

“Our roster isn’t set yet; we still have spots to fill, so we need to ensure we’re bringing in the right players to fit with what we have,” he added.

As the Alpena 45ers begin this new chapter, fans can look forward to a season filled with potential and development.

Get 45ers gear at hitclubhockey.com/collections/alpena-45ers or buy season tickets at tinyurl.com/Alpena45erSeasonTix.