As the Saint John Sea Dogs prepare to start their regular season, head coach Travis Crickard says the team’s young roster is already showing signs of growth and cohesion.

“This team is a lot different than last year’s,” Crickard said. “It’s more skilled, more intelligent and more gritty.”

The lineup leans heavily on 17- and 18-year-olds, with only four players aged 19 or older.

Crickard said that the mix has helped younger recruits settle in quickly, especially with returning players being close in age.

“There’s probably a little more relatability,” he said. “It’s not like we have a bunch of 20-year-olds.”

Crickard also credited newly acquired veterans Natan Éthier and Angelo Fullerton for helping guide the younger players and build chemistry in the room.

Among the team’s NHL draft-eligible prospects are forwards Olivers Murnieks, Dylan Rozzi and William Yared, along with defencemen Cameron Chartrand and Olivier Duhamel.

Rookie goaltender Rafaël Courchesne is also eligible. Second-year drafts include Alexander Donovan, Patryk Zubek, Vincent Croteau, Olivier Groulx and Zachary Morin. First overall pick Alexis Joseph is set to make his debut.

Crickard said managing expectations and ice time will be key, with many young players competing for first-line roles and power play minutes.

“It’s about making sure every player feels valued and is still having an impact,” he said. “And making sure they’re developing.”

Two players who stood out in camp were Alexis Gauthier, who made the team as a free agent, and Morin, whose commitment to refining his game impressed the coaching staff.

Crickard said the team should be more competitive than last year, when the Sea Dogs were in a rebuilding phase and relied heavily on underage talent, including two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old on the first line for much of the second half.

In goal, Justin Robinson returns for his third season after a year marked by injury and limited minutes.

He’s expected to share the crease with Courchesne, a 2008-born rookie who Crickard said has shown strong net presence and could draw pro attention in his draft year.

“We want to make the people of Saint John proud of their team again,” Crickard said. “We think this roster sets us up for three really strong years of competing and contending.”

The Sea Dogs host the Cape Breton Eagles on Friday night at TD Station. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.