Discussions

Regina Pats (0-0-0. Pre-season: 1-4-1)  
 
Key returnees: Jordan Weal (35 goals, 67 assists. Retured from NHL camp). Brandon Davidson (Defense, 1 goal, 33 assists). The jury may be out on where key mid-season acquisition Carter Ashton will play this year. Ashton reportedly almost made the Tampa Bay Lightning last year and has already scored twice in NHL pre-season games this year.
Full roster: http://reginapats.com/roster/index/team/26/sort/last  
 
Probable starting goaltender:: I know next to nothing about the Pats' plans this year, but will guess that last year's majority-starter Damien Ketlo (19-20-6, 3.55 goals against average, 0.893 save percentage) gets the call.  
 
* * * *  
 
Brandon Wheat Kings (0-0-0. Pre-season: 3-1-0):  
 
Key returnees: With Scott Glennie and Brayden Schenn still at NHL camps, the Wheat King team on the ice will be without it's top seven scorers from last year's team that made it to within one win of the Memorial Cup championship. Looked to for leadership offensively tonight will be Shayne Wiebe (23 goals, 27 assists), Mark Stone (11 goals, 17 assists), Michael Ferland (9 goals, 19 assists) and Brenden Walker (9 goals, 10 assists). Rookie forwards David Toews and Jason Swyripa look like they may be ready to contribute themselves sooner rather than later. Brodie Melnychuk (7 goals, 17 assists) is the top scoring returnee on defense.
Full roster: http://wheatkings.com/roster/index/team/21/sort/last  
 
Probable starting goaltender: If the strategy is to keep your opponent guessing on your starting goaltender until game night, the Wheat Kings have done that to a tee by carrying what could very well be a record five goaltenders on their roster into opening day. Your guess is as good as mine on who will start. If it's Liston, the organization has tipped their hand on their intentions for this season. If you forced me to guess, I'd say Hayes and De Serres will split the opening two starts as final opportunities to prove that they deserve the final 20-year old spot. If you thought that that guess was wishy-washy, I'd then guess that Hayes gets the call tonight.  
 
* * * *  
 
The Wheat Kings, who have not lost a home opener since 1999, take on their long-time rival the Regina Pats in the very first game of the 2010-2011 WHL season for any team. Brandon took both pre-season matchups between these teams and will be hoping to carry that momentum into tonight.

Depending on lineup decisions and injuries, the Wheat Kings could realistically have as many as 8-9 players making their WHL debuts tonight.  
 
Game time is officially 7:30, however the Wheat King website states that the "show starts at 7:15."  
 
It would be great to hear others thoughts on the matchup and how tonight's lineup will look, whether you'll be attending or not.