Romford Buccaneers head coach Jason Buckman is hoping to get the season off to a good start this weekend.

National League Division One South rivals Oxford City Stars visit the Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre on Saturday (5.15pm).

And Buckman is pleased to be back in action after seeing a new management group take over.

"After a very difficult summer it’s almost a relief to have the hockey season back," he said.

"Player recruitment was tough starting so late in the summer, but we have managed to keep a lot of the younger talented guys and some core players.

"We start the season against Oxford at home and will look to start positively."

Buckman's squad has undergone some changes, with four players agreeing two-way deals with Adam Laishram's senior Raiders.

"Players that have moved on only opens the door and opportunity for other guys and younger players to step up and play bigger roles," added Buckman.

"We have a lot of young talent in Romford and that shows with the amount of two-way players we have this year with Raiders.

"'Laish' and I spoke a lot over the summer and those two-ways have already have had a taste of Raiders hockey in pre-season.

"These guys playing bigger roles with Buccs and playing up when they get the opportunity is the perfect model for development in Romford, and getting off to a good start will be key this weekend."