Whitehorse Minor Hockey's Bantam Mustangs have been chosen for this year, and after a tough tryout session, coach Jay Glass says they have the strongest team possible.

Of 17 players, eight are returning for their second season with the Mustangs and 14 of those are in their second year of Bantam hockey.

"We're going to have a real experienced team,” said Glass.

This year's team will be made up of Elliott Berg, Craig Berube, Charles Dagostin, Tyson Glass, Tyrell Hope, Scott Hunston, Liam Janke, Dominic Korn, Kyle Lowes, Matt McCarthy, Scott Meredith, Scott Peterson, Mitch Read, Nigel Sinclair-Eckert, Jared Steinbach, Trevor Whynot and Breyin Wiens.

Dave Pearson will also coach with Glass this year.

"We've got pretty good size compared to last year,” said Glass.

Once the team hits the ice next week they will begin their schedule of two practices a week and two games when they start playing in the Recreational Men's B league.

Starting in October, they will play full contact Bantam hockey at a slew of tournaments throughout B.C. and Alberta. First up is a tournament in Kelowna on the October 15 weekend, where Glass will get a full picture of what his team is capable of.

"That will give us a much clearer picture of where we stand,” he said.

Glass says as usual the tryouts were difficult for the coaches and the players who didn't make the cut.

"There was a lot of good hockey players,” said Glass. He says about eight or nine players were obvious picks, but the rest of the team took some discussion.

"It was tough,” he said. "There was 40 kids out.”

While the tryout period was difficult, there is a little hope for the players that didn't make the team.

"The kids that didn't make it, there's always opportunity for a change,” said Glass.

He also says the players who were cut still have the chance to get in a B program to keep their hockey skills tuned up for next year's tryouts.

While there may be an opportunity for a change in lineup as the season starts, those who did make the team can make sure they stay.

"If the kids work hard then they'll stick,” said Glass.

After October's game in Kelowna the Bantam Mustangs will be in Wetaskiwin, Alta. from Nov. 4 to 9 then Kamloops from Jan. 14 to 18. Between those games they will host teams from out of town, including Yellowknife and Fairbanks.

"It will give people a chance to come out and watch some good full contact bantam hockey,” said Glass.

The Yellowknife tournament will see three games hosted by Whitehorse and three in Yellowknife, like last year.

"We hosted Yellowknife last year. It was quite successful,” said Glass.

After two weeks of practice, the Whitehorse Bantam Mustangs will begin their recreational league play on Sunday, Oct. 4.