The seven-team PEI Midget AAA Hockey League gets underway on Monday night when the Pownal Gaudet's Auto Body Red Devils host the Charlottetown Brighton Construction Abbies at 8:05 in Pownal. 

"We expect to be a competitive team," says Red Devils head coach, Morgan Rice.  "We feel we have a strong defensive core with five defensemen and both goaltenders returning.  James Duffy and Colby Landrigan will share duties in goal, Colin MacEachern and Luke Dibenedetto will be relied on for their experience and leadership. We will be lead offensively by Brett Driscoll, Barrington Duffy and Evan Feehan."

The Abbies will be looking to rebound after a first-round exit in last year's playoffs.

On Tuesday night, the Mid-Isle Robert's Petro Canada Matrix will host the Summerside Hemphill GM Capitals at 7:30 at APM Centre. The Matrix are looking forward to another successful season after finishing as runners-up in last year's Atlantic Midget AAA final.  The Matrix are anchored by veteran goaltender Alexander Smith and a strong defence contingent led by 6'4" Braeden Stewart.  Offensively, the Matrix will be looking for leadership from three returning forwards, including quick skating Zach Kennific. 

Summerside will need to find scoring from other sources this year, with last year's leading scorer moving on to major midget.

Last year's champion, Western Regals will travel to Summerside on Wednesday for a 7:45 game at Credit Union Place. "We will have a much younger team compared to a year ago," says Regals coach, Brett Corcoran, "with 10 first-year midget players. Expect our returning players to provide a lot of leadership and lead by example. Top scorer TJ Shea returns up front along with Jake Getson, Curklan Fraser, Nathan Handrahan, Brayden Arsenault and Brendan Shea. Calvin McRae, Thomas Fraser and Drake Smallman will be looked to bring their experience to lead a young defence group and two rookie goaltenders."

On Thursday night, the Matrix will visit the Sherwood Drug Mart Falcons at 8:20 at Cody Banks Arena for the Falcons first game of the season.  They Matrix knocked the Falcons out of the playoffs on the semi-finals last year in a hard fought series.

The Kings County Kings will get their season underway at home on Friday night with a 7:55 start in Souris against the Red Devils.  "My expectations for the year are to get this team to the Island Finals and win a provincial championship," says Kings coach, AJ MacInnis.  "Some players to watch for are returning forwards Robbie Hicken and Nathan Cahill, defenseman Mike MacGregor, and goaltender Jed Walsh, as well as newcomers Eddie Jenkins and Ben Doucette up front and Nic Deagle and Alex Chapman on the back end."

The week wraps up with two matchups on Saturday when the Kings visit the Abbies at 1:30 at Simmons and the Regals host the Falcons at 7:30 in Alberton.

The 30-game regular season will conclude on February 13 with the playoffs to follow.