Most sports teams that have won a championship, or at least come close, will tell you the key components in getting there were the two C's confidence and commitment.

Sure, talent is important, but the most successful teams are the ones who truly believe they can beat anybody and want to put in the hard work required in order to do it.

The teams whose players spent all off-season getting in better shape, attending camps and getting focused. Whose leaders show up in September ready to go and push everyone else to join them. Who might not have the size but certainly have the heart.

The Whitehorse Mustangs bantam AA hockey team hasn't been to a tournament yet this season, but after several weeks of practices, coach Dan Johnson feels like his crew is already well ahead of last year in terms of preparation.

Cale Bechtel, Chris Whynot and Dalton Edzerza will share alternate captain duties this season, letters Johnson insisted they've all earned in the first few weeks alone.

'They came to camp, showed they were leaders and wanted to be here. They're committed to this team. So far, they've come to work every practice.'

In fact, Edzerza spent so much time working on his game over the summer that the evaluators at this year's training camp didn't recognize him. They thought he was new to town.

'He plays with confidence now,' said Johnson. 'Last year, Dalton was one of those third line guys who understood the game a lot, but his body wouldn't let him do it.

'I don't know what he did or what his dad's feeding him, but I've got nothing but rave reviews about him. He went from probably the bottom three in skating to the top five. It's unbelievable.'

That foot speed will also be crucial to the Mustangs' success. While they were a fairly physical squad last season, this year's team is definitely on the small side.

Johnson admitted the top line of David Stephens, Trevor Hanna and Bechtel will be tested due to their size. But he pointed out all of them are good, fast skaters and cycle well together.

As long as the referees call the game the way they're supposed to, the coach doesn't expect it to be too much of a problem. Minor hockey has adopted the same rules the NHL is now using, in terms of cracking down on hooking and holding.

Of course, the new rules could also land the Mustangs in hot water. But with solid goaltending to aid the penalty kill, and solid offence to make other teams pay for their fouls, Johnson expects special teams will be improved this season.

'Our power play will be better this year. We've got two guys with big shots and then we'll have three smaller guys moving the puck around the perimeter.'

The coach also believes ice time will be easier to distribute this year, with more balanced lines. Dawson City's Bradley Keaton has been a pleasant surprise. Keaton hadn't had regular ice in Dawson for the past two years before trying out for the Whitehorse team, but still managed to make an impression.

'He's cracked the top two lines at this point and is only getting better every practice.'

The Mustangs have three goalies on their roster returning player Mel Goodman and new bantams Brad Gustafson and Steve Harlow. Johnson expects to keep all three with the team all year, although only two will be allowed to suit up on each trip Outside.

So far, it appears Goodman has the inside track on the starting job. He proved he could handle the load at the provincial championships last year and he's also been impressing the coaching staff with his form and commitment at practice so far.

'On defence, we've got Chris (Whynot) back there and Aidan Love,' said Johnson. 'Aidan's got a huge skill set, tons of talent; he just has to get his head on his shoulders for us and come to the rink competitive every time.'

More than anything, the Mustangs are determined to really come together as a team this year, something which was a big concern for the coaches last year.

The lack of communication ended up costing them at some of the most important times.

'We didn't really bond together at the beginning,' admitted Bechtel.

'I think it will be a lot better this year.'

Johnson and the rest of the coaching staff his dad Mike, his brother, Matt and Ryan Hodgins are planning to take matters into their own hands, when it comes to team bonding and communication.

'We're going to be proactive this year, in terms of who stays with who in hotel rooms, who sits together at dinner. We need to get everybody on the same page.

'I've been on way too many teams that should have won a lot more games than they did, but they didn't, because they had no chemistry. Chemistry and just pure commitment.'

The coach said he's already noticed a difference this season. In practice, players are finally working for each other, he said, and the dressing room has become a lot more relaxed.

With a trip to Quesnel already planned for Oct. 20, and three more trips hopefully in the works, the team is starting to talk about goals, which include a top-four finish at this year's provincials.

'Just to get in the medal round this time would be really good,' stated Bechtel.

'We just want to play in a game that matters,' added Johnson. 'We came close last year, but didn't win the right games.

'It's a different feel with this team for sure and a lot of that is coaching as well. Last year was our first year coaching, so I guess you could say we learned a ton too.'