For head coach Gord Burnett, it starts with competition.

The Bisons want to be a physical, aggressive and relentless team that makes opponents earn every inch of ice and every shift.

There are also some significant changes to navigate.

Manitoba lost a number of centres from last season and will dress three first-year players down the middle on a nightly basis.

"Having three first-year centre-men in our lineup every night will prove to be a challenge to control the middle of the ice," says Burnett.

How quickly those players adjust to the demands of Canada West hockey will be an important storyline early in the season.

At the same time, the Bisons are excited about the potential of newcomers Nolan Chastko, Teague McAllister and Erik Pastro.

All three are expected to make an impact, particularly as Manitoba looks to establish itself in the middle of the ice.

"We are excited about their abilities and what they can add to the program," says Burnett.

The Bisons will also be counting on continued growth from returning players including Dawson Pasternak, Caden Zaplitny, Lucas Brennan, Eric Alarie, Skyler Bruce and Grady Lane.

A Team Built on Competition

If there is one characteristic Burnett wants associated with the Bisons, it is competitiveness.

"I want to be known by everyone we play that we are a physical and aggressive hockey team that is relentless in the competitive spirit that we go out and play with week-in and week-out," he says.

That identity is not dependent on the score.

Whether leading, trailing or tied, the Bisons want to play that way for all 60 minutes.

"We are going to compete that way every shift regardless of what the scoreboard says," Burnett says.

That mindset has already been evident during training camp.

The Bisons have put together a productive start to camp, with Burnett encouraged by the group's commitment to maintaining a high level of intensity.

That work ethic will be especially important as Manitoba adjusts to its new-look lineup.

Key Players Ready to Take Another Step

Among the returners, Lucas Brennan is one player who could make a significant impact this season.

After a productive first year with the Bisons, Brennan spent the summer improving his conditioning and arrived at camp ready to build on that foundation.

"He had a good season last year as a first-year player," says Burnett. "We are looking for him to build on that this season."

In goal, Braden Holt enters the season with two years of U SPORTS experience.

The Bisons are looking for Holt to continue his development and emerge as one of the top goaltenders in Canada West.

"We expect him to continue his development and take another step in becoming one of Canada West's elite goaltenders," says Burnett.

On defence, Ben Bonni will once again be relied upon in every situation.

His growth has been an important part of Manitoba's development, and the Bisons will look to him for stability and impact at both ends of the ice.

"Ben plays in all situations on defence for us," says Burnett. "His growth has been an important part of our development."

The combination of experienced returners taking on larger roles and newcomers competing for opportunities gives Manitoba a group Burnett believes can continue developing throughout the season.

Winning the Races and Battles

For Burnett, improvement is not about a specific tactical adjustment.

It comes down to something more fundamental.

"Hockey always comes down to who is going to win more races and battles shift-in and shift-out," he says.

That belief influenced Manitoba's recruiting approach in the off-season.

The Bisons wanted players who would add another level of competitiveness and embrace the physical demands of Canada West hockey.

"I felt that we needed to recruit some players with more competitiveness," says Burnett. "I think we have done just that, and it has been noticeable in the time we have been practicing thus far."

Now the challenge is sustaining that approach.

The Bisons want competitiveness to be more than a training-camp trait. They want it to define their identity every time they step on the ice.

The Goal: Playoff Hockey

For Manitoba, the objective is straightforward.

Become a playoff team.

Getting there, however, will require consistency.

"It takes a lot of conditioning, it takes a lot of preparation, and it takes a mindset that you're going to play for 60 minutes in every game we play," says Burnett.

That starts in practice.

The Bisons have set a high standard during the opening weeks of camp, but they now have to carry it throughout the season.

"We need to practice at a high level every day," says Burnett. "Just like we have done for the first two weeks of training camp, now we need to sustain that level of effort and execution for the duration of the season."

That consistency will be especially important for a team navigating a young group of centres while continuing to develop in goal.

There will inevitably be challenges along the way.

But if the Bisons continue to improve, win their share of races and battles, and bring the same competitive mindset to every shift, Burnett believes the pieces are in place to accomplish the team's goal.

"If we can do that, we will be a playoff team this year."

For the Bisons, the formula is simple.

Compete.

Be physical.

Be relentless.

And do it for all 60 minutes.

The team starts the season on the road taking on UBC this weekend before returning to Wayne Fleming Arena to take on the rival Saskatchewan Huskies on Oct. 16 and 17. Tickets are available here.