The CFR Chemical Bisons will kick off their Alberta Midget Hockey League title defence as they raise their league and Pacific Regional banners in Strathmore Friday.

The Bisons welcome the Calgary Royals Friday night and then host the SEAC Tigers out of Medicine Hat Sunday afternoon.

Bisons Head Coach Sandy Henry says they've lost some key players from last year's monumental year but they'll still be a team to be reckoned with.

"We're a quicker than last year out of the gate, we're just going to have to learn to play at our speed capabilities and I think we're big enough we've got some decent size we're maybe not quite as big in the back end as we were but I think we've got a good collection of grit and puck movers back there."

There's a lot of turn around from last year with only six returnees in the forms of Gary Haden, Zach Cox, Cam Shorrock, Quaid McBean, Zach Vinnell and new captain Kyle Gordon.

Henry says those returnees will be counted on for success this season.

"They're a real nice mix of skills guys, some gritty guys and but all character guys and we're looking forward to having them lead us to another championship."

With the expectations to go for it all again Henry knows it won't be like last year to get the AMHL Final or beyond.

"Games we got taken a little lightly last year, we will not get that treatment this year," he says. "We will not get that treatment this year teams are going to be gunning for us and want to knock you off your pedestal."

Game time Friday night is 8 p.m. followed by the Sunday matinee game also in Strathmore at 2 p.m.