Speaking on behalf of the team’s general manager Gord Carey, Irons said he could not say whether any players have officially been signed, but reported he has commitments from several returning players and at least four rookie players.

“The team is looking very good. I’m extremely excited,” Irons said in a telephone interview on Friday.

Among the 11 committed forwards are returning players Sylvester Spencer, Chad Meagher, Travis Saltz, Chris Vandertas, Matt Foley, Dylan Sontag and Derek Rodgers, Irons said.

Carey said he has signed Saltz and sophomore goalie Eric Pye.

The offence will be augmented by Bracebridge residents Will Irons, who played for the Bracebridge midget Bears last year, Robert Childs, who played juvenile hockey in Muskoka, and Ricky Greenslade, who last year played for the Penetang Kings Junior C organization.

“On the front end we’re looking really good. We’ll be able to compete with every team,” said Irons. “My goal is still to strengthen the defence.”

Irons said the Shield will now truly be a South Muskoka team with more representation from Bracebridge.

“It really is both towns’ team,” he said, noting sponsorship, coaching and now players come from Bracebridge. “We really want to be Muskoka’s junior A team.”

Irons said Tim Wendry, who played junior hockey in Los Angeles last year and was introduced to the Shield by California native Derek Rodgers, is also committed to playing for the Shield.

“He’s an extremely talented hockey player,” Irons said of Wendry. “We’re lucky to have him.”

There are another five or six players vying for the last spot in the offensive lineup, Irons added.

On the back end, Irons said veteran players Jesse Goheen, Dylan Coté and Dale Hatfield have committed to play for the Shield.

The team’s first-round draft pick Kirk Kelly, an 18-year-old defenceman from Springhill Blues Jr. B in Newfoundland, has also made a commitment to the team.

Irons said Steve Vince, the youngest player on the Shield last year, is currently participating in an Ontario Hockey League camp in Sarnia, but could come back to the Shield if he’s not successful at the OHL camp.

Irons is also close to an arrangement to have an Austrian player join the Shield.

With four defensive players committed to play, he estimates there are another six players trying out for the last four spots on the blue-line.

“We’ll probably see three or four new kids on D (defence),” Irons said. “We’re hoping to get some commitments and the weak draft won’t really affect us too much.”

Between the pipes, the Shield is eyeing sophomore Eric Pye as the first-string goalie, and continues to look at three goaltenders for one or two potential backup positions, Irons said.

The team hopes to be training on the ice next week in preparation for exhibition games against the Elliot Lake Bobcats in Gravenhurst at 7 p.m. Friday night and 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Shield home-opener against the Nipissing Alouettes takes place Sept. 5 at Gravenhurst Centennial Centre.