THE Medway-based ice hockey side Dynamos begin the new season confident they have the squad to challenge for the English National Premier League title.

But before the battle for the league starts the Dynamos play six games in the British National League Cup, which pits them against higher division BNL teams Slough Jets and Basingstoke Bison plus fellow ENPL contenders Romford Raiders.

The Raiders are the first to hit the Ice Bowl on Saturday with Bison in Gillingham on September 9 and the Jets on September 16.

There will be lots of familiar faces on the ice and some exciting new ones, a mix player coach Andy Hannah believes will thrill the fans and worry opponents.

Hannah, himself a new acquisition from Chelmsford Chieftians, said: "We are very strong this year and will be going for the title and I believe will have a good run in both cups.

"We also feel we have got the balance right between youth and experience. There are a few young kids from the area who are good hockey players and we are hoping to use them more this season."

One of those to come through the youth ranks is Peter Korf who impressed last year when he was drafted in to play a key defensive role due to injuries to senior players. He did so well that he received last year's most improved player award.

Another youngster new to Invicta's line up this season is 18-year-old forward Jonathan Gray who was the under-19 team's top points scorer last year and is an exciting prospect for the future.

But the pre-season news that will excite both Dynamo fans and players alike concerns the four new signings.

In come Canadian forwards Duane Ward and Hannah plus defenceman Jake French all from Chelmsford Chieftians and Canadian Carl Greenhous from Romford Raiders.

Ward scored 75 points in 26 games last season and has been Chelmsford's leading goal scorer for the past two seasons.

Together with Hannah they will add considerable strength and firepower to the Dynamos offence while the defence will be bolstered by the arrival of French and Greenhous.

Hannah said: "French is a solid defensive player who over the years has proved he can play in this league and Greenhous is a very physical defenceman, who has a great shot and likes to hit a few."

One player fans will be pleased to see once again don a Dynamos uniform is Matt Beveridge who was last year's English Premier League leading point scorer with 88 points from 30 games.

Beveridge has now completely recovered from the knee injury he received before the play-offs and is looking forward to the new season.

Dynamos have further added to their roster, which is almost complete, with the resigning of Sean Clement, Phil Chard, Paul Hume, Greg Hales, Elliot Andrews, Kevin Parrish, Mikko Skinnari, Mike Kindred, and netminders Matt Van Der Velden and John Noctor.

Dynamos regular Chard is looking forward to playing alongside his new teammates. He said: "We have strengthened our side unbelievably with the guys we have picked up. Looking at other teams in our league some have the same faces or have one or two new signings but nothing compared to us.

"We will be competing for top honours and if we are not up there come the end of the season then something is wrong because we have an outstanding squad."

The Dynamos first league game is a tricky trip to Haringey Greyhounds on Saturday September 22 and the first home game pits the Dynamos against the Isle of Wight Raiders, impressive winners of last season's League Cup.

Haringey, Isle of Wight and Invicta have also been drawn together in the same group in the LC along with last season's English Premier Division champions Swindon Phoenix plus Romford Raiders.