As promised earlier this summer, the Neepawa Natives opening day roster will feature youth, local talent and some exciting talent. Neepawa's roster announced earlier this week features around 10 players from the Neepawa area – including hometown boy Clarke Rempel and Gladstone's Lyndon Soper - and only five 20-year-olds. And while the 'new' Natives look like a team of the future, the Natives are expecting them to be a competitive team right now. “We have a fast team and the talent is there,” Natives assistant coach Cam Tibbett said. “Over the next week at practices (before Friday's season opener) there are a lot of teaching points about the small things we'll need to clean up, but those are just the little things. It should be a good game.” Another major factor that will lead to the team's success will be the health of its players. After coming out of the gates this pre-season on fire, winning three and losing one in overtime the Natives ran into the injury bug over past week and lost its last four. For example, in Sunday night's loss to OCN the team had seven key players out with injury. “We were cruising along well until we got hit with the injuries,” Tibbett explained. “We hope to have all seven of those guys back Friday.” One other hope for the Natives is to see their stands full again, and so far the organization is anticipating that will happen. “I think it's key for our season to get the fan support and with it being a home opener, and a season opener, I expect there'll be lots of people out on Friday,” Tibbett said. The puck drops on Friday night's game at 7:30 p.m.