Lewiston – Anxious fans crowded the parking lot of the Androscoggin Bank Colisee Sunday evening for a first look at the 2006-2007 Lewiston Maineiacs hockey team.

Training camp attendees were introduced to the fans amid loud cheers. Only 23 of the 55 players attending training will be chosen for the team, but that didn’t stop fans from rooting for their favorites.

“He’s been counting the minutes to this day,” Sue Gagnon said of her hockey fan husband, Roger. “Today means that hockey season has started.”

The Gagnons are season ticket holders and attend as many games as they can with their friends. Roger Gagnon is well-known at the games for the giant Maineiacs flag he waves in support of his team.

“I’m excited to see what the team looks like with the new players they picked up this year,” said Gagnon as he craned his head over the crowd.

One of these new players is first-round, 11th pick Danick Hudon-Paquette. He will contend for a spot on the team this week.

Paquette adds bulk to this year’s prospective team, which many fans are excited to see play out on the ice.

“Many of the returning players look like they’ve gained some muscle,” commented Gagnon.

Mark Just, principal owner of the team, also showed interest in the increasing size of the players. In his introduction to the rally, Just announced, “We are very optimistic about this season’s hard-working and hard-hitting team.”

Another addition to the team is a new mascot, Kollide. Kollide will pump up Lewiston fans alongside the team’s original mascot, Lewi.

Maineiac star Matthew Aubet, who was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, will not be returning to the team this year. Still, he showed his support at the rally and fans cheered him on even though they are sad to see him go.

But goaltender Jonathan Bernier is returning to the team for one last season. Bernier was selected 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in this year’s National Hockey League draft.

A fan favorite, Bernier received a noisy welcome from the crowd.

Andy Lachance proclaimed Bernier to be “the best goalie in the league and then some.”

Also returning to the team for training are Stefano Giliati and Stefan Chaput.

Gagnon hopes the team will do better in this year’s playoffs. The team lost in the conference quarter finals to the Halifax Mooseheads. Even though they qualified, Gagnon said, “making the playoffs and staying in the playoffs are two different things.”

Lachance was not only impressed with the skill of the Maineiacs, but also their dedication.

“These kids, who are as young as 15 years old, stay extremely focused,” Lachance marveled. “They are away from their home and families, playing 70 games a year, practicing daily, while keeping up on their school studies.”

The Maineiacs kick off their season Friday, Sept. 22, at the Prince Edward Island Rocket’s home turf.

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