‘The fans are getting really excited’: Moncton Wildcats to play home opener Saturday

Excitement is high as the Moncton Wildcats prepare for opening weekend at home.

The Moncton Wildcats are back on home ice this weekend for their first regular season game at the Avenir Centre in the 2025-2026 season.

The Wildcats will be defending their league championship after capturing the QMJHL crown and falling just short in the Memorial Cup semifinal last season.

“This would generally, after a championship, be a very lean year but with the new players that they brought into camp with the NCAA rule, once they put things together, they’re going to be a very competitive team this year,” said Adam Lund, host of a Wildcats podcast.

The team started the season on the road with a two-and-two record. Lund believes they will improve as key players return from NHL training camps.

Caleb Desnoyers, their star captain and Utah Mammoth first round prospect, underwent wrist surgery and is expected to be out until November.

“I think the other Maritime teams got better. Charlottetown is going to be strong. Newfoundland’s going to be strong as well. Halifax, Saint John, they’re going to be all right there… Cape Breton maybe take a step back. They got one of the best coaches in New Brunswick history in Gardiner Macdougall,” said Lund.

“You’re looking at it at least top four team and a long playoff run. They got Rudy (Guimond) back in net which is massive. It’s no doubt that this team could do could do some damage this season. It won’t be a regular rebuild.”

The Wildcats are also prioritizing in-game entertainment for fans.

“We really like to have every fan out here to come and participate and to cheer on our boys,” said Natasha Ostaff, Wildcats business admin.

“They really enjoy when we have a packed house and we have lots of fans cheering them on, it makes them even more eager and hungry to win.”

The team has a lineup of activities planned for the weekend, including raising a championship banner.

“Very, very proud and very excited to lift that banner this year, an all around family outing too. It’s a great place to bring family. Like I said, there’s Wild Willy, he loves to interact with the kids and lots of entertainment for adults, lots of prizing to be won,” said Ostaff.

Longtime fans are also excited for the season to begin.

“The fans are getting really excited. You can tell, especially after the last game against Newfoundland and then in Cape Breton, and you can see a lot of fans coming together again,” said Wildcats fan Jailynn Gillcash.

“Honestly, just excited to see all the new faces that look like they’re a pretty good roster. I mean, they’ve already played against the Regiment, who’s already a pretty good team. They’ve shown that they can keep up with those good teams. So, I expect to see a decent run out from them this year,” said Wildcats fan Michael Slade.

The puck drops at the Avenir Centre Saturday at 7 p.m. when the Wildcats take on the Charlottetown Islanders, followed by a Sunday afternoon game against the Halifax Mooseheads at 3 p.m.

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