It's been a monumental year for women's hockey.
The Professional Women's Hockey League's first season was a resounding success and the work is already underway to build on the momentum in year two.
Locally, the Cambridge Rivulettes U22 Elite team is preparing for its upcoming season.
And a different looking lineup from years past will be hitting the ice at Galt Arena Gardens as 16 new players have been added to the roster.
"Being able to watch this team grow and establish their own identity, it's exciting for all players, new and returning," head coach Geoff Haddaway said.
"In spots we're younger. We had a lot of older players graduate and these players are the ones we thought gave us the best opportunity to be successful this year. Age isn’t a huge factor in picking our team."
The team has already been skating for the past few weeks and played in several exhibition games.
They'll also be taking part in a preseason tournament in Stoney Creek in the middle of September.
Haddaway said the organization has developed a reputation for "playing the right way," whether it be offensively or in the defensive zone.
It's something he wants his players to continue to focus on but admits expectations for performance will develop as the season progresses.
"Because of the newness, it's going to take time," he said.
"We have to make sure we don’t lose sight that we're a development league. We're competitors and everyone wants to win but our program has bigger values than a scoreboard at the end of every game."
With the spotlight squarely on the women's game like never before, Haddaway believes it will benefit all levels.
"It’s grown up, that’s the biggest change as the PWHL continues to take more steps this year in terms of their professionalism and drafting a second crop of players," he said.
"The teams will be stronger. I think what that does is as it grows, it adds a degree of professionalism to everything below it."
The Rivulettes open the regular season on Sept. 22 with a road game against the Ottawa Lady Senators.
Their home opener is set for Sept. 27 versus the Nepean Wildcats.